BEIJING, September 30: India is likely to deploy the recently bought Rafale fighter aircraft capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads near disputed regions with Pakistan and China, the Chinese state media predicted on Friday.
It was claimed by Indian newspaper Hindustan Times quoting an article published in nationalistic Global Times tabloid.
India recently signed a deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France for close to 7.8 billion euros ($8.7 billion). The delivery of the jets, which experts say will allow the air force to strike targets in Pakistan and China from within Indian Territory, will begin after three years.
Indian Air Force is grappling with a drawdown of its fighter fleet. The IAF has 33 fighter squadrons, each consisting of 18 fighter planes. It requires 45 combat units to counter a combined threat from China and Pakistan.
The Global Times article added China’s neighbours, including India, are “hyping” the so-called “China threat” and have gone on an arms purchasing spree – a move that has increased the import of western-made weapons into Asia.
The report came against the backdrop of India’s alleged surgical strikes along border with Pakistan.
China has yet to officially react to the reports of ‘attacks’. Pakistan, Beijing’s all-weather ally, has denied that Indian troops had carried out “surgical strikes” across the Line of Control, saying it had responded to “cross-border fire” from the Indian side that killed two soldiers and injured nine more. -DNA
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