BY : TOI

Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, on Thursday said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has big plans for transformation from regional reach to global in coming years.

"Acquisitions, modernisation, better technology and space-based assets is our goal and we are moving towards that. We are a regional power and the fourth largest air force in the world," he told reporters after the passing out parade of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla.

Major has been working towards accomplishing this goal ever since he was AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command, in 2005. The Indo-US joint air exercises at Kalaikunda were successfully conducted under his leadership in the Command.

He informed that by August this year, the IAF would be getting the first lot of Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT), Hawks, from England. "That is another area where flying will improve and will help a fighter pilot to adapt to modern sophisticated aircraft."

The IAF is also in the process of establishing an aerospace command by integrating its capabilities to exploit outer space and to control space-based assets.

As far as space research is concerned, the air chief expressed satisfaction with the progress in missile technology, but added that India's policy was against weaponisation of space. "As far as space is used for peace, it's good enough."

Allaying fears over reduction of squadrons, he said, "The number of squadrons will come down a little before rising to the original levels."