THE 40 SQUADRON MIRAGE

Indian Air Force (IAF) transport helicopters, gunships, transport aircraft and fighters, including the newly inducted Rafales, were speedily deployed in Ladakh to support the Indian Army in May this year, when New Delhi realised the state of play—China’s gameplan of a coercive military deployment along the LAC (line of actual control).

- Sandeep Unnithan

Now, as IAF aircraft and bases remain in a state of high alert along the entire 4,400 km disputed border with China, the issue of declining fighter jet numbers has once again taken centre stage for the IAF, which celebrated its 88th raising day on October 8.