-SATISH HANDA
Indian Air Force (IAF) Station Ambala situated at a distance of of 220 kilometer (km) from highly sensitive India-Pakistan border is fast preparing to welcome 18 Rafale fighter aircrafts under the control of 17 Golden Arrow Squadron out of the total number of 36 Rafale aircrafts from France under a agreement between France and India government finalised by Chief Designate Air Marshal RKS Bhaduria. The remaining 18 aircrafts would be placed at Hashimara Air Force Station in West Bengal near China and Bhutan borders. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanua visited Ambala airbase at IAF Station along with officials of 17 Golden Arrow Squadron in the second week of September 2019 to have detailed discussion with Ambala Air Force Station officers.
The history of 17 Golden Arrow Squadron reveals that it took birth on October 1, 1991 to take charge of MIG-21 aircraft at Bhatinda Air Force Station in Punjab played important role during Kargil war and was dissolved in 2016, it has now been reconstituted to take charge of Rafale aircrafts. A team from France also visited IAF station Ambala to suggest up-gradation of Ambala airbase for movement of Rafale aircrafts and accordingly 14 new shelters are being constructed along with hangers, operational sites, a D-breefing storage room, maintenance hall and training section inside IAF Station Ambala.
For Rafale operation at IAF station Ambala there is requirement for about 51 acre land adjoining IAF station for which a meeting was held between army and air force officers recently when decision was taken to transfer surplus army land belonging to Military Dairy Farm to air force authorities and proposal of identified 51 acre land has been sent to Ministry of Defence for approval. Information reveals that initially one Rafale aircraft would be sent to IAF station Ambala. Presently, there are two Squadrons JAGUAR Combat and MIG-21 Bison deployed at this air force station and with the addition of Rafale aircrafts the importance of this air force station would witnes increase.
According to a senior officer of17 Golden Arrow Squadron, Rafale fighter aircrafts carrying double engine have capacity to accommodate two pilots and capable to reach up to 60000 feet height during attack on rival army with a capacity for 2500 rounds of bullet shots at a distance of 3700 km with1900 km per hours speed from 300 km range in the sky capable to carry 9.3 ton load up to 1650 km distance when flying. According to information, IAF Station at Ambala was constructed in 1948 and presently surrounded by large number of thickly populated residential colonies Baldev Nagar, Subhash Nagar and three villages Dhankour, Dhulkot, Barnala posing a threat to the life of large number of families and commercial complexes adjacent to four wall of IAF station. Information reveals, according to Air Force Works of Defence Act 1903 no structure can be constructed within 100 meters distance from the Air Force Station, but municipal authorities Ambala allowed construction of buildings with approval of their site plans violating directions.
Information reveals, there are nearly 10000 residential as well as commercial buildings located within 100 meters from the boundary wall of IAF station and in a meeting held in July 4, 2019 between IAF officers and district administration decision was taken to demolish such buildings. According to owners of building in this area, they are having valid registration of such buildings issued by district administration Ambala
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