Aizawl: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will install an air defence radar station (ADRS) in Mizoram bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, an official said here on Sunday.
"The high-tech ADRS will be set up at Zopuitlang in Lunglei district in southern Mizoram. Over 300 acres of land has been identified jointly by the IAF and the district administration," a Mizoram government official told reporters.
Eastern Air Command chief Air Marshal S Varthaman on Saturday met with Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and discussed the matter.
The official said Varthaman also discussed with the Chief Minister the proposed construction of a defence enclave to accommodate at least four fighter jets at the Lengpui airport in western Mizoram.
"Varthaman also sought land for setting up a base station for the IAF aircraft at Lengpui airport, the only one in the state under Mamit district," the official stated.
The air marshal has also agreed that he would take steps to ensure that the maximum number of Mizo youths are recruited in the IAF.
Mizoram shares a 404-km international border with Myanmar and 318-km border with Bangladesh.
Varthaman has informed the chief minister about IAF's willingness to assist the Mizoram government in organising an international festival on life, culture and traditional customs of different ethnic societies.
He said a state-of-the-art fully equipped archery range of international standard is being set up by at the Eastern Command headquarters in Meghalaya capital Shillong.
IANS
First Published: Sunday, December 04, 2011, 15:37