Kolkata, Dec 15 (IANS) There was no aggressive posturing from the neighbouring Asian superpower China and no apprehensions of air threats, a senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official said here Tuesday.
“I personally do not see any aggressive posture that we need to get hyper about. We are fully prepared to protect our skies,” Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Eastern Air Command) Air Marshal S.K. Bhan told reporters here on the occasion of the EAC’s golden jubilee year celebrations.

“No case of airspace violation by Chinese aircraft has been reported so far,” the air marshal said, adding he had already checked with the army if there was any such incident.

Bhan said the EAC was planning to introduce more upgraded radar systems to enhance the capacity of IAF’s air space operation and surveillance mechanism along the borders.

“We’re also trying to make an airborne warning advance control system (AWACS) available with the IAF whenever necessary,” he added.

He said that the IAF was developing advanced landing ground in north-east frontier area to carry out better air maintenance activities.

“We cannot have modern aircraft without modern air fields.”

The AOC-in-C (EAC) stressed upon the upgradation of various airfields throughout the year.

Talking about the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to carry out electronic surveillance in Maoist-infested areas, Bhan said if the West Bengal government places any request, the IAF will be willing to lend it to the state to carry out anti-Maoist operations.