Indian Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said on Thursday the Indian Air Force (IAF) is “imbibing lessons they learnt” from the 1965 Indo-Pak war and operations in last five decades.
Addressing students and war heroes at the felicitation ceremony of war heroes at La Martiniere College on Thursday, Raha said, “The 1965 conflict was forced up on India at a time of heaviest odds against the IAF. The force was then in the process of rebuilding itself to take on the new challenges.”
Raha elaborated that during that time, Pakistan had joined the SEATO and CENTO, also known as the Baghdad Pact and reaped benefits of this relationship with the Western world.
“The Americans gave them large number of weapon systems, and the PAF especially got large number of fighter and bomber aircraft like F-104 star fighter, F-86 Sabre and the Canberra bombers. They also acquired sophisticated air defence radars, got a lot of aid wears in size (which the fighters are armed with). Combined with these advanced fighters, bombers, missiles and air defence systems, PAF had an exceptional air force which was trained and equipped better and was extremely capable,” said Raha.
On the other hand, IAF had a large number of vintage fleets. “These aircraft had done well during their service and had become legacy of equipment like Vampires and Mysteres. Also, we didn’t have missiles which gave a definite edge to the PAF. But one thing that proved well during this conflict was that you may have good machines and equipment but what matters is the men behind machines and that’s why we have so many these war veterans who excelled during adversaries,” said Raha.
On the occasion, the air chief marshal recalled IAF’s contribution to thwart Pakistan Army’s armour thrust in Chhamb-Jaurian Sector in 1965 war which resulted in failure of operation Grand Slam aimed at cutting off J&K from India.
one thing that proved well during this conflict was that you may have good machines and equipment but what matters is the men behind machines and that’s why we have so many these war veterans who excelled during adversaries,” said Raha.
Indeed you have so many veterans Mr Raha because they never left their bunkers. About Chumb Jaurian, Raha, your job was done by ZA Bhutto.
Comments are closed.