ID :
34787
Wed, 12/10/2008 - 09:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/34787
The shortlink copeid
IAF to deploy Aerostat radar to secure Delhi
Ajit K Dubey
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Faced with intelligence inputs of a possible threat from the skies on the patern of 9/11, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to instal highly- sophisticated radar in Delhi to detect 'rogue' low-flying aircraft.
The decision to install 'Aerostat' radar in the
national capital Delhi comes close on the heels of Defence
Minister A K Antony saying that the country needs to guard
against aerial threats.
"We are planning to deploy a dedicated Aerostat radar
here to secure the capital from threats from low-flying
aircraft," IAF sources told PTI here Tuesday.
These radars would be integrated with units of
surface-to-air missiles (SAM) based in the capital.
After the recent terror strikes in Mumbai, intelligence
agencies had warned about a WTC-type terror strikes at
important locations across the country.
Antony had chaired a high-level meeting of the
tri-services chiefs and his Ministry officials to discuss
means to counter any such aerial threat, after terrorists
breached coastal security in Mumbai recently.
In response to the intelligence warnings, IAF chief
Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major had recently said, "We are
prepared to tackle any such threat."
The deployment of an Aerostat here is one of the steps
taken by the IAF to strengthen the aerial security of the
capital, sources said.
The IAF has been planning to deploy an Aerostat here
for some time now after some aircraft encroached the no-fly
zone areas over the capital.
"There have been few instances in the recent past
where aircraft have flown over the VVIP zone. Last month,
during the ongoing Parliament session also, a Pawan Hans
chopper flew right over the Parliament building and it was
after this incident that we decided to hasten the process of
deploying an Aerostat radar here," sources said.
"With our existing radars, we can protect whole of
national capital region (NCR). But this would be the only
radar guarding against low-flying threats," they added.
Radars protecting against high flying aircraft
have been deployed by the IAF in and around Delhi and they
along with the radars at air bases can "see" up to a long
range and detect any aircraft coming towards the capital.
"We have deployed these radars around the capital and
with their capabilities, we can receive warnings about
aircraft moving towards capital much in advance, giving us
ample time to thwart it," they added.
Sources said that with the induction of Aerostat
radar, the IAF is expected to ensure a "fool-proof" security
against any aerial threats.
"With the high powered radars, we were sure about
tackling high flying threats and with the Aerostat, we would
be able to counter low-level flying objects also and thus,
ensuring an almost fool-proof security cover for Delhi," the
sources claimed.
The IAF is going to procure four more Aerostat radars
in the near future from Israel and is deploying them at
strategic points to provide advance warning against enemy
aircraft and missiles the sources said.
The IAF is acquiring low-level transportable radars along
with medium- and high-powered radars to plug the gaps in its
aerial coverage along the borders and coastal areas. PTI AJD
PMR
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Faced with intelligence inputs of a possible threat from the skies on the patern of 9/11, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to instal highly- sophisticated radar in Delhi to detect 'rogue' low-flying aircraft.
The decision to install 'Aerostat' radar in the
national capital Delhi comes close on the heels of Defence
Minister A K Antony saying that the country needs to guard
against aerial threats.
"We are planning to deploy a dedicated Aerostat radar
here to secure the capital from threats from low-flying
aircraft," IAF sources told PTI here Tuesday.
These radars would be integrated with units of
surface-to-air missiles (SAM) based in the capital.
After the recent terror strikes in Mumbai, intelligence
agencies had warned about a WTC-type terror strikes at
important locations across the country.
Antony had chaired a high-level meeting of the
tri-services chiefs and his Ministry officials to discuss
means to counter any such aerial threat, after terrorists
breached coastal security in Mumbai recently.
In response to the intelligence warnings, IAF chief
Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major had recently said, "We are
prepared to tackle any such threat."
The deployment of an Aerostat here is one of the steps
taken by the IAF to strengthen the aerial security of the
capital, sources said.
The IAF has been planning to deploy an Aerostat here
for some time now after some aircraft encroached the no-fly
zone areas over the capital.
"There have been few instances in the recent past
where aircraft have flown over the VVIP zone. Last month,
during the ongoing Parliament session also, a Pawan Hans
chopper flew right over the Parliament building and it was
after this incident that we decided to hasten the process of
deploying an Aerostat radar here," sources said.
"With our existing radars, we can protect whole of
national capital region (NCR). But this would be the only
radar guarding against low-flying threats," they added.
Radars protecting against high flying aircraft
have been deployed by the IAF in and around Delhi and they
along with the radars at air bases can "see" up to a long
range and detect any aircraft coming towards the capital.
"We have deployed these radars around the capital and
with their capabilities, we can receive warnings about
aircraft moving towards capital much in advance, giving us
ample time to thwart it," they added.
Sources said that with the induction of Aerostat
radar, the IAF is expected to ensure a "fool-proof" security
against any aerial threats.
"With the high powered radars, we were sure about
tackling high flying threats and with the Aerostat, we would
be able to counter low-level flying objects also and thus,
ensuring an almost fool-proof security cover for Delhi," the
sources claimed.
The IAF is going to procure four more Aerostat radars
in the near future from Israel and is deploying them at
strategic points to provide advance warning against enemy
aircraft and missiles the sources said.
The IAF is acquiring low-level transportable radars along
with medium- and high-powered radars to plug the gaps in its
aerial coverage along the borders and coastal areas. PTI AJD
PMR
