New Delhi: In a bid to give a boost to the capabilities of the Indian armed forces so that they are able to respond quickly to emergency situations along the western border, the government has approved a plan to set up an Air Forcebase near Deesa in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district. The plan, proposed long back by the Indian Air Force, was cleared on Wednesday by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Hindustan Times reported. The forward fighter base, once ready, would add to IAF’s existing Barmer and Bhuj air bases along the western border and increase the force’s capabilities to take on the ever-growing threat from Pakistan.

An initial investment of around Rs 1000 crore has been earmarked to convert the existing small Deesa airport into a full-fledged IAF base, the report said, quoting Defence Ministry sources. More than Rs 4,000 crore would be needed to set up the full-fledged base. The initial investment would be used to extend the existing 1,000-metre runway, build fighter-pens and administrative facilities. The airport is currently used for helicopter landings and VVIP movements. Some 4,000 acres for the proposed air base had already been acquired almost two decades ago. The decision to build the air base that has been taken now is due to the efforts of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Air Force is on a strong wicket against China: Air Chief Birender Singh Dhanoa

Details of fighter jets that will be based at Deesa are not available at the moment. The base will come under the purview of the IAF’s Gandhinagar-headquartered South Western Air Command (SWAC). SWAC’s operational areas include Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

The development came as Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa yesterday said that the Indian Air Force is on a strong wicket against China. Whatever requirements are there from the Budget, have been sent to the government, he added.

India ranked fourth most-powerful military in the world, Pakistan way behind

Also recently, India was ranked the fourth most powerful military power in the world, way ahead of its arch-rival Pakistan. According to the Global Fire Power Index 2017, India's military strength is second only to that of the US, Russia, and China. Rival neighbour Pakistan ranks 13th on the list. While India has retained its position in the top five militaries in the world, Pakistan made it to top 15 only last year.

Courtesy: Times Now, Mar 23, 2018 | 13:51 IST |