F-16 fighter aircraft or not, the Pakistani air force cannot match the Indian Air Force, Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani said on Tuesday.

"In conventional warfare capability, we are far ahead of our western neighbours,'' Bhavnani told newspersons in Kolkata when asked if Pakistan's acquisition of F-16s from the US will give its air force an edge over the IAF.

Air Marshal Bhavnani, who was in the city for the launching ceremony of the fast attack craft, 'INS Bitra', at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers premises, said 'concerted efforts' are being made to acquire the most modern and the best combat aircraft.

He said the Sukhoi-30 MKIs, now in possession of the IAF, are among the best in the world. Besides, the IAF also has Mirages and Jaguars.

''All these put together, we can't be matched. So, let them get what they want. We are confident that we can take on any one,'' Air Marshal Bhavnani said.