BS Dhanoa, Air Chief Marshal

New Delhi, October 5

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa today said there was a low possibility of a two-front war even as he sounded a note of caution that Chinese forces were present in the Chumbi valley. The Indian Air Force Chief went on to assure that the force had the ability to strike targets in Pakistan.At a press conference ahead of Air Force Day (October 8), the IAF Chief was asked about the safety of Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapons and whether the IAF would be able to disarm Islamabad of its nuclear assets, if necessary.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)“We have a draft nuclear doctrine. It is answered in that — what happens when the enemy decides to use nuclear weapons on us. As far as the IAF is concerned, it has the ability to locate, fix and strike and that is not only for tactical nuclear weapons but for other targets across the border (as well),” Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.On the presence of Chinese troops in the Chumbi valley, he said: “Their (Chinese) forces are still deployed in the Chumbi valley. We expect these forces to withdraw as exercises get over.”The valley lies east of Sikkim and was the site of the 74-day military standoff between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China at Doklam plateau. The Tribune had reported that the PLA was maintaining a few hundred troops west of the Torsa nullah at Doklam and its troop numbers were around 10,000 spread across the regions abutting eastern and northern Sikkim. India has two divisions (12,000 men in each)  complete with tanks in these areas.On a two-front war, he said the IAF had an alternative plan to fight such a war with the existing fighter jets.“We need 42 squadrons for a full spectrum of operations. But it does not mean we cannot fight a two-front war with the existing strength. We have Plan B,” the IAF Chief said.He said politically they had never fought a two-front war. On if the threat of a two-front war was lower than assumed, he said: “In the present geo-strategic scenario, the possibility of a two-front war is low. However, the intention of the enemy can change overnight.” Two-front war is a military nomenclature for simultaneous war with neighbours, Pakistan and China. He said additions were being made to the fighter fleet and by 2032, they would have the mandated strength. At present, the IAF has 33 squadrons and 10 of those are listed to be phased out. — TNS

‘Full squadron strength by 2032’“There is a plan by the government to induct fighters and by 2032, we will have authorised strength. But with the numbers that we have, we are capable of carrying out operations anytime.” BS Dhanoa, Air Chief Marshal

3 women pilots set to fly military jets

• The first three women fighter pilots of the country — Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh — are set to script history next month when they will fly military jets after a strenuous three-week training. PTI