India Plans Air Defense Buildup in Confronting China

Indian Air Force head Air Chief Marshall Vivek Ram Chaudhari speaking during the annual Air Force Day news briefing in New Delhi. Image: Sajjad Hussain / AFP

India is planning to spend up to $36 billion in the next seven years to improve its air defenses as part of ongoing hostilities with China and Pakistan, according to the head of its air force. Air Chief Marshall Vivek Ram Chaudhari outlined India’s defense planning at the Indian military’s annual Air Force Day press briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday.

While he emphasized the Indian army’s dynamic operational planning and “tactics and training” in areas “where the adversary cannot be countered in sheer numbers,” he also outlined significant funding outlays that point to a rapid military buildup.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Cobus van Staden

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
Uncertainty Roils Minerals Markets
3 From J-10C to Kaan? Indonesia’s Fighter Jet Deal With Turkey Shocks Chinese Military Fans
4 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
5
Indonesia Goes Nuclear, Taps China and Russia for Modular Reactors
6 Chinese Scholars See Russia’s Venezuela Strategy as a Model of Hybrid Power Projection in the U.S.’ Backyard

You Might Like

China-Pakistan Cooperation on Weapons, Border Construction: Reports

Press outlets in India are reporting that Chinese entities are working with the Pakistani army to build infrastructure along the de facto India-Pakistan border (known as the Line of Control), which runs through ...

Indian Military to Open New Facilities at Sea and in the Mountains to Counter China

The Indian military announced it will build a new naval facility in the Indian Ocean and restructure part of its deployment near the Himalayas near the border with China, both with an eye to ...

India, China Border Talks End With a Positive Vibe But No Substantive Outcomes

Indian and Chinese military commanders wrapped up their 21st round of talks aimed at resolving escalating tensions along their disputed 3,200-kilometer border. The corps commander-level talks were held this week at the Chusual-Moldo meeting point ...

What Actually Happened in the China-India Border Fight Last Week?

Last week’s violent border skirmish between Chinese and Indian soldiers sent the already frosty relationship into the deep freeze. However, much still remains unknown about the incident and its wider implications. 

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP

[ATTENTION SUBSCRIBERS] Delivery of the daily email newsletter will resume on Monday, January 5th.

Got it!
X