IAF could assist in anti-terror operations

India
IAF could assist in anti-terror operations
By RxPG News Service, Nov 25, 2006 - 12:34:00 AM

New Delhi, Nov 24 - Perhaps for the first time, the Indian Air Force - could assist the security forces in anti-terrorist operations at the nation's borders. But the IAF will not use its aircraft and weapons against Maoists and other ultras operating within the country, a senior officer said Friday.

The IAF is also increasingly focusing on precision guided weapons as part of its medium and long term plans to achieve a 24x7 battle capability, Air Commodore Ravi Burli, who heads fighter operations at the IAF's premier Western Air Command -, said at a media interaction here.

'We are readying ourselves for asymmetrical warfare of the future across the spectrum of conflict ranging from low intensity warfare on the borders to counter terrorism,' Burli explained, speaking ahead of the annual WAC station commanders' conference.

Commanding officers of the 18 air bases of the WAC will be attending the four day conference Nov 27-Dec 1.

'The conference gives an opportunity to the field commanders to interact with senior WAC officers and to familiarise themselves with the future plans and strategies of the IAF,' explained WAC commander-in-Chief Air Marshal A.K. Singh.

Speaking about the IAF's efforts in the war against terror, Burali said the force was 'developing the capability of the security agencies to coordinate activities' in areas prone to terrorist activities.

This would be done through an array of measures including the use of unnamed aerial vehicles - and satellite imagery, the officer explained.

One UAV has already been placed at the disposal of the Chhattisgarh government to counter Maoist activities in the state.

'We have to take a holistic approach to anti-national activities. In the war against terror, we have to ensure that all the assets of the state are put to best use,' Burali maintained.

He replied in the negative when asked whether the IAF would go into operation against Maoists and other terror groups operating in India, saying it would never use its firepower against Indian citizens, no matter how misguided they were.

At the same time, he left open the question of whether the IAF would act against foreign guerrillas operating in states like Jammu and Kashmir.

As for precision-guided munitions -, the IAF had first used a modified version of these with telling effect during the 1999 Kargil operations against Pakistani intruders in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir. Their effectiveness had spurred the IAF to concentrate on this weapon, Burali stated.

'What we are aiming at is the Suppression of Enemy Air Defences - and Destruction of Enemy Air Defences -,' he added.

Unlike conventional bombs that virtually have to be 'nursed' to their targets, a combat jet armed with a PGM can fire its missile at a target and then take evasive action even as the weapon continues toward its target. This ensures not only greater accuracy but also reduces the risk to the aircraft from ground and air fire.

During the Kargil operations, the IAF had drooped 2,000-pounder bombs that were fitted with an Israeli guidance and stabilising system. These have now been further refined.

'During war, there is often need to target urban centres but there is also need to guard against collateral damage. That's where the PGMs come extremely handy,' Burali explained.

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