Chief of Air staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said that IAF had already did what Israel is doing against Hezbollah. Air Chief Marshal Singh made these comments when asked about whether the IAF had the capability to eliminate someone equivalent to Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrullah.
“We already have, in Balakot,” he said, when asked about whether the IAF had the capability to eliminate someone equivalent to Nasrullah.
What seemed to concern the air chief, who took over a few days ago, was falling squadron strength— now down to 30. He hoped that Hindustan Aeronautics would deliver the different versions of the Tejas aircraft on time. He acknowledged that HAL was preparing a second line in Nasik and hoped that it will be able to produce 24 Tejas fighters a year. Also, there may be a requirement for the private sector to step in. Otherwise, some alternatives have to be looked at.