Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has expressed concerns over “increased militarisation by China and Pakistan”, saying that forces were growing at a rapid pace at India’s northern and western border.

His remarks on Tuesday at the 21st Subroto Mukherjee Seminar came in the wake of China unveiling its two new sixth-generation stealth fighter jets, a development that has intensified global concerns over Beijing’s growing military modernisation.Referring to China’s unveiling of its latest stealth aircraft and its heavy investments in the air force, he added, “China is investing heavily in its air force.. The recent unveiling of its new stealth aircraft is a case in point.”

“As far as China is concerned, it is not just the numbers, even the technology is growing at a very rapid pace.”

The IAF chief also expressed concerns over delays in India’s indigenous fighter programmes, especially the Tejas Mark-1A project, which is currently hindered by the slow supply of GE-F404 jet engines from the US.