NEW DELHI: RKS Bhadauria, who took over as the Chief of Indian Air Force on Monday, said that the Air Force is ready to repeat the Balakot airstrike in the future.
According to Bhadauria, the Air Force is ready to face any challenges. He said, "We were prepared then, we will be prepared next time. We will be ready to face any challenge, any threat." When quizzed about the news which suggested the reinstallation of JeM camps near the PoK region, Bhadauria said that the AIr force will take necessary action when required. He also added that the induction of Rafale fighter jets will be a game-changer for the IAF.
Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, took over as 26th Chief of the Indian Air Force today.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 30, 2019
He was commissioned into the fighter stream of IAF in Jun 1980. pic.twitter.com/9xH01idY1s
Bhadauria is one of the few Air Force pilots to fly a Rafale. In July, during Exercise Garuda between the Air Forces of India and France, Bhadauria had flown the Rafale aircraft. He was the Air Attache at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air Head Quarter and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command.
Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa was instrumental in planning and executing a successful strike against the terrorist camp near Balakote, which is located across POK, in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/Li72rU1f45
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 30, 2019