IAF needs 42 squadrons: Major

We need a strength of 42 squadrons,not more than that. By 2020,we will have 40 or 41 squadrons, the Air Chief told The Indian Express at the sidelines of the Aero India 2009 show here. Till now,the IAF has been known to require an optimum number of 39-and-a-half squadrons. This sanctioned strength will be reached by 2017. At the moment,we are at 34 squadrons. We might come down a bit and then start picking up. Hopefully by 2017,we will have what we want and perhaps a little more than that by 2020, Major said,answering questions on the modernisation plans of the Air Force.

He said that while the number of squadrons will go down in the coming years,the IAF will maintain its combative edge in the region with the induction of new,modern fighters with more capabilities than the existing fleet. The numbers may go down,but they will be replaced by modern fighters. I am confident that it will be done without any loss of the combative strength, he said.