By IANS,
Bangalore : The Indian Air Force (IAF) Thursday admitted to gaps in surveillance during low-intensity conflicts and warned that unused airfields across the country posed a serious terror threat.
“We do have gaps in our radar coverage for low intensity conflicts. But you should not forget that India is a huge country, it will take us some time to get the full coverage. But let me assure you that we have low level key capabilities in key areas,” Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major told reporters Thursday on the sidelines of the Aero India international air show.
He also pointed out that air power of the non-lethal variety plays a significant role in low intensity conflicts, especially during anti-terrorist operations.
“Air space power plays a role in the lowest level of conflict. The highest level of air power is not about bombing across the enemy lines but also about surveillance and intelligence. Cordon and search operations using aerial electronic means is equally effective,” Major maintained.
The air chief said the security of the large number of the unused airfields across the country were the responsibility of the respective state governments.
“They (unused air fields) pose a threat as a light aircraft can use them for not so honest purposes,” Major said, adding that stationing patrols there and keeping them under the security scan “is under the ambit of the state governments”.