New Delhi: In the next three years, the IAF
will upgrade eight Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in the
northeast to strengthen its capabilities to carry out aircraft
operations in that region.
"We are planning to upgrade eight ALGs in the northeast...
By August, we are expected to sign the contract and in next
three years, our capabilities would be improved in that
region," Air Chief marshal P V Naik told reporters here.
The IAF chief said the upgrading of the ALGs along with
the upgrade of the airfields there was the focus area for the
force and more such fields were planned under the 12th Plan.
The IAF is strengthening its capabilities in the
northeastern sector in view of the increased military presence
of China along its border with India.
IAF has already based Sukhoi-30MKI fighters at airbases
like Tezpur and Chabua.
ALGs in areas including Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Tuting,
Ziro, Along and Vijaynagar as well as several helipads in
Arunachal Pradesh are also being upgraded now, much like the
western sector ALGs like Daulat Beg Oldi, Fukche and Nyoma in
eastern Ladakh.
An empowered committee (on North-East infrastructure
development) under the Chief of Air Staff-designate Air
Marshal NAK Browne is continuously monitoring upgradation of
the facilities, creation of new infrastructure and induction
of assets in this region.
Asked about the gaps in intelligence set up, the IAF chief
said, "Gaps in intelligence will exist in many countries as
you would want more and more of it.
"There have been lot of moves by the Home Ministry in
terms of combining the intelligence inputs of various agencies
and it is paying dividends. Things have improved from what
they were earlier."
PTI
