Author's signature: Laughing Sky
According to the Website of the Indian media "Eurasian Times", India is ready to activate a second Squadron of Rafale fighters by the end of July to provide much-needed air support to the Indian Air Force in the event of a long-term border standoff with neighboring countries.
The 17th Golden Arrow Flying Squadron, the indian air force's first Rafale fighter squadron, has been put into service at The Ambarra Air Base in Punjab province. With the deployment of a second Rafale squadron, the Indian Air Force will be able to fully cover the Line of Actual Control on the eastern and western borders. It has been more than a year since two nuclear-armed neighbors have been locked in a border standoff, and the impasse continues despite multiple rounds of negotiations.
Analyzing the issue, foreign policy expert Hussein Haqqani said India "has come to build and deploy hard power to contain its neighbors." India can no longer count on diplomatic engagement with its neighbors and can now rely primarily on hard power. India's recent decision to send an additional 50,000 troops along the border could be the beginning of India's claim to hard power.
It appears that India may have to take action other than diplomacy and has deployed additional troops along the border. According to reports, as part of the "offensive defense" strategy, the Indian army has deployed K-9 "King Kong" self-propelled guns and M777 light howitzers in the highland border area. In addition, the Indian Air Force dispatched Rafale multi-purpose fighters stationed at the Base of Mbara to regularly cruise the highland border areas.
The Indian Air Force's second Rafale squadron will enter service at Hasimah Air Base in West Bengal, the closest air base to the border between India, Bhutan and China, at the end of July. India also deployed Su-30 fighter jets in Tezpur and Chabua in Assam. The deployment of rafale squadrons on the eastern border will significantly increase the IAF's combat effectiveness.
To further enhance its military capabilities, India announced plans to procure 1,750 Future Infantry Fighting Vehicles (FICVs). The FICV is expected to be able to traverse different terrains, allowing it to be deployed in the border areas bordering Pakistan and China. Earlier this year, India's Ministry of Defence also gave preliminary approval for the purchase of 118 Arjun MK-1A main battle tanks.
Haqqani argues that India and the United States share common interests, especially on China. In formulating a policy toward Asia or the Indo-Pacific, successive administrations have argued that shared concerns about China make India a natural ally of the United States.
With strong roots and rising economic power, India is an ideal partner and future ally of the United States in Asia and the Indo-Pacific. The four-nation group of the United States, India, Japan and Australia is increasingly influential in the Indo-Pacific region.