India to avoid US component in AJTs 8212; Tipnis

Tipnis was speaking to newsmen during his two-day visit to the city to inaugurate the annual Commanders Conference organised here at the IAF Maintenance Command.

Among other reasons which have caused delay in the purchase of AJTs, Tipnis said that price negotiations and technical evaluation of the offers were two major ones. The Air Chief, however, assured that the deal is likely to be struck by the year end and the first lot of the AJTs will arrive in 24 to 30 months thereafter.

He informed that the Indian Air Force IAF has placed its demand for atleast 70 AJTs to begin with. Speaking on the future plans of the IAF, he said that the air force intends to acquire the Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems AWACS and the in-flight refuelling aircraft, besides adding to its fleet of Sukhoi multi-role aircraft.

Earlier, the Air Chief elaborated on MIG 21s which are notorious for their safety record in recent years. He scoffed off aspersions cast on the airworthiness of MiG-21, and to emphasise his point said that he himself flew the aircraft solo8217; at Bareilly this year to instill confidence among the young pilots and dispel doubts of the media.

Terming the MiG-21 as a high demanding8217; aircraft, Tipnis said that flying this aircraft requires skill of the highest level. Although the aircraft was inducted in the Air Force way back in 1963, it has undergone several upgradations over the years and is regularly subjected to stringent tests to check its air worthiness, Tipnis said, adding that the training imparted to pilots flying this aircraft is also of equally high standard.

8220;When it comes to operational capabilities, the MIG 21 is good as compared to the F-104 or Mirage III inducted by the Air Force of the neighbouring country8221; he said.

According to him, it was improper to compare the fighter aircraft with the transport ones as regards safety standards, since the conditions and terrain in which the fighters are flown are far more arduous ones. Besides, the accidents caused with the MiG-21s are far more visible since the aircraft forms a major portion of the air force and is flown more as compared to other aircraft in the IAF fleet.

Commenting on peculiar problems of the Indian sub-continent which affect aircraft flying, Tipnis said that high level of pollution develops thick haze around the airbases, thus reducing the visibility. Besides, large and small birds also pose a severe threat to aircraft, he said, adding that there was a need to maintain proper environment around the bases to avoid these problems.

Replying to a question, the Air Chief admitted the need to have an overall review of the share which the nation spends on the IAF. At present, less than 2 per cent of the total gross domestic product GDP is shared by the IAF while the Armed Forces share nearly three per cent of the GDP. He said that air-superiority plays a dominant role in military conflicts, and it has been amply proved in several such conflicts all over the world.

Earlier, in his address, the Air Chief Marshal informed that the IAF was going a major way towards indigenisation, self-reliability and private participation. Earlier, the IAF was associated with the private sector for low cost8217; goods. But it is now shifting for high cost8217; goods too and is inviting private sector to share its technical knowhow.

Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Maintenance Command, S S Gupta was also present at the press conference. The Air Chief later left for Delhi.