Develop world class spare parts for IAF

According to Tipnis, quality assurance was of utmost importance since an aircraft could be grounded for the want of a single pin. Although the failure of a component at the ground level could be corrected, nothing could be done when the aircraft was airborne,8221; Tipnis said, emphasising the need for quality. The fact that the vendors8217; list of the IAF had grown from 200 to 600 was proof of the huge requirements, he said.

While admitting to a slight slip-up in the ambitious upgradation programme of MiG 21-BIS 8211; the oldest in the MiG series of aircraft, Tipnis maintained that the project which was being carried out in collaboration with Russia was progressing according to plan.

The first roll-out of the upgraded -21 BIS was expected sometime next year, he said. Speaking to reporters later, he maintained that reports of the IAF lagging behind in its modernisation and acquisition programme were baseless.

The upgradation programme was currently being carried out in collaboration with the Russians and two prototypes were presently under flight evaluation, he said. The remaining aircraft will be done at Ojhar at Nashik where the first roll out is expected sometime next year. This would require about 50 odd sorties before total evaluation and fifty per cent have already been completed, he said.

After the total evaluation, the entire fleet of the aircraft would be subsequently upgraded at the Ojhar base. The Air Chief however, admitted to a slight slip-up8217; in the project.

Referring to the delivery schedule of Sukhois, he said that eight aircraft had already been received last year. The delay had occurred because the IAF had asked for special avionics to be fitted in the aircraft, he explained, adding that of the total fleet of 40, the first batch of eight aircraft which arrived here were Sukhoi-30s.

The Air Chief declined to comment if the manufacturing facility at the Ojhar base were being upgraded simultaneously along with the delivery schedule of the aircraft. 8220; This is part of the contract and will be undertaken in a time frame,8221; he said, adding that India is slated to receive 40 Sukhois as per one of the biggest defence deal signed in November, 1996.

The tri-service exercise Brahmastra8217; organised by the Simla based Army Training Command is scheduled to be held this month as a brain-storming exercise.

Air Marshal S G Gupta, Air Officer Commanding in Chief AOC-in-C, pointed out that over one third of the components had to be rejected since they did not conform to the standard of the IAF. In his welcome address, chairman of the western region of CII Baba Kalyani suggested the formation of working groups from the industry and the Air Force to address the problems of the industry related to indigenisation. Chairman of CII National Committee on Defence Atul Kirloskar gave details of the industry8217;s association with the defence sector.