IAF flies combat air patrols after heightened Chinese air activities in Ladakh

Combat air patrols can include scrambling fully armed interceptors from air bases once Chinese air activity is detected over the Tibetan plateau where China maintains several high altitude air bases, said an NDTV report.

"It should be very clear that we are well prepared and suitably deployed to respond to any contingency," said Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria at the Combined Graduation Parade at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal near Hyderabad, the NDTV report said.

"I assure the nation that we are determined to deliver and will never let the sacrifice of the braves of Galwan go in vain," he added.

His comments come a day after Indian Air Force Apache attack helicopters and upgraded MiG-29s over the skies of Leh in Ladakh even as he made it clear that there have been no violation of Indian airspace by Chinese aircrafts in the last few months, the report said.

Indian Air Force has upgraded its MiG-29s with new radar and avionics and are considered the most sophisticated variants of the Russian fighter, the report added. The IAF has also deployed new Chinook transport helicopters in Ladakh.

"China deploys aircraft for training during the summer but this year, the number of deployments have increased," said Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria adding that "Beyond May, it has been increased further," the report further stated.

The IAF Chief  said that the development of the LAC in Eastern Ladakh was a small snapshot of what the armed forces are required to handle at short notice.