Indian airspace still not impregnable

New Delhi: The surveillance of Indian airspace is still far from becoming airtight, with tardy progress in induction of more high, medium and low-level radars as well as in implementation of projects like the satellite-based surveillance (SBS) programme.
Over a year ago, TOI had reported there were "many gaping holes" in the country’s radar network to detect intrusions by hostile aircraft or missiles. The situation was particularly alarming in central and peninsular India since most of the existing surveillance systems were tasked to monitor the borders with Pakistan and China due to the higher level of "perceived threat" from there.
Since then, only a few tentative steps have been taken towards making the Indian airspace more impregnable.
"But much more needs to be done. For instance, there are many gaps in airspace surveillance at 10,000-feet all over the country. While surveillance along the western and northern borders is just about okay, it’s inadequate around many vital areas in the mainland," says a senior defence official.
"The plan to establish a chain of coastal radars is also yet to take full shape," he adds.
21/08/06 Rajat Pandit/Times of India

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