As efforts are on to end the confrontation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, the top brass of the IAF will review the situation and its operational readiness during the two-day Commanders conference here commencing on July 22. The high-level stock-taking comes days before the Corps Commanders of India and China are likely to meet later this week to hasten the process of withdrawal by both the sides.
With the nearly eight-week-long stand-offs at four sites in Eastern Ladakh now tapering off with both the sides gradually thinning out their troops, the IAF commanders will brainstorm their strategy, sources said here on Sunday. The IAF has deployed its frontline fighter jets including SU-30s, Mirage and MIG-29s at forward airbases all along the 4,000 km long LAC since the face-offs began and China starting ramping up its force levels.
Matters took a turn for the worst after the June 15 skirmish in the Galwan Valley resulting in the death of 20 Indian army personnel. Both the sides moved forwards their additional troops, heavy guns, weapons and aircraft leading to heightened tension.
Given these factors, the IAF commanders are likely to fine-tune their operations keeping in view some progress made during the four rounds of talks between the Corps Commanders. The Chinese have withdrawn from all three sites but are not willing to hasten it up in the Pangong Tso(lake) and Depsang valley. The IAF will take a call about toning down its operational stance on the basis of further confirmed reports about pull back there by easing tension, sources said.
Besides reviewing the situation on the LAC and the Line of Control(LOC)with Pakistan, the IAF commanders will also discuss the operational readiness schedule of the Rafale jets. The first four jets will reach the Ambala airbase by the end of this month from France.
India had inked a nearly seven billion Euro deal with France in 2016 for procurement of 32 Rafale medium multi-role combat aircraft. While the first four jets arrive this month end the entire fleet will be reach the IAF by 2022. The Commanders will also devise an operational schedule to integrate the French made plane with other jets of Russian origin like the SU-30 and MIG-29s.
The India-specific enhancements in the Rafale fighter jets along with the long-range weapons like the Meteor air to air missiles are going to give India an edge over China and Pakistan, they said.