Alaska to SA, IAF spreads Mirage wings

Welcoming the 197-member IAF contingent which returned from Alaska here today, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy said: ‘‘… this is the first time that our combat aircraft participated in an international exercise outside the Indian subcontinent. Despite all odds, we have been able to stick to our schedule… We will hone our skills in our bid to strengthen the Air Force further and educate others as well.’’

Talking of the forthcoming South African exercise, the Chief said this would entail the longest single-leg flight that Air Force has clocked to date. While the routine sorties stretch to about an hour, the Cope Thunder exercise saw the aircraft flying for around four hours at one go while they were crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Single-leg sorties to South Africa would be even longer.

Allaying apprehensions that Cope Thunder exercise in the United States could alter India’s relations with other nations, he clarified: ‘‘Our relation with Americans is the one of mutual respect. This exercise will in no way have a bearing on our relations with our neighbours.’’

Talking of procurement, he said they are ‘‘not on a shopping spree’’ and that the aim is to ensure ‘‘maximum return on investment’’. He also said India was scheduled to get two more tankers from Russia and the process of upgrading 125 MIG 21 aircraft was nearly complete.