Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa speaking at an Indian Air Force event in Delhi on Wednesday, batted for the controversial Rafale deal. Speaking on the occasion, the Air Chief Marshal said, “What we do not have are the numbers, against a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, we are down to 31. Even when we do have 42 squadrons, we will be below the combined numbers of two of our regional adversaries.” He further added, “By providing the Rafale and S-400, the government is strengthening the Indian Air Force to counter the short falls of our depleting numbers.”