IAF upgrades combat planes for sharper edge

New Delhi: The IAF has signed contracts with various companies to upgrade its fleet of combat planes involving MiG-29, MiG-27, Mirage-2000 and Jaguars in an attempt to enhance the combat potential of its fighter aircraft. In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, Defence Minister AK Antony said, “IAF has undertaken upgrades of MiG-21 and MiG-29 aircraft. Contracts have also been signed to upgrade MiG-29, Mirage-2000 and Jaguar aircraft.”[caption id=“attachment_293320” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Vouching for more air power. Image courtesy PIB “]  [/caption] The contract for upgrade of MiG-29 was signed with RAC MiG at a cost of $964 million and it is scheduled to be completed by 2016, he told the House. For upgradation of Mirage-2000 aircraft, a contract has been signed with French firms Thales and Dassault Aviation at a cost of €1,470 million. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will also participate in the programme and a contract worth Rs 2,020 crore has been signed with it also. “All the aircraft (Mirage-2000) are scheduled to be upgraded by mid-2021,” Antony said. On upgradation of Jaguar aircraft, he said, “The contract has been signed with HAL at a cost of Rs 3113.02 crore and the aircraft are planned to be upgraded by December 2017.” The defence minister also said that IAF has prepared a Long Term Perspective Plan (LTPP) for procurement of aircraft and equipment in next 15 years (2012-27). “This plan lays down the roadmap for capability-building and enhancement of combat potential of the IAF,” he said. Antony also said that various contracts have been signed in last three years for procurement of Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft, Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Medium Lift Helicopters, Intermediate Jet Trainers and Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers as well as various types of radars, airborne weapon systems and air defence missile systems. On allocation for the force in present fiscal, Antony said, “The Budget allocation for capital procurements for 2012-13 is Rs 30,514 crore.” He denied reports of lobbying by defence firms which had responded to the Request for Proposal for procurement of 126 Medium-Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) for the IAF. On shortage of fighter pilots in IAF, he said, “Present strength of pilots is 3,406 against the sanctioned strength of 3,783. The available strength of pilots in IAF is sufficient to meet its current operational requirements… Presently, 180-200 pilots are commissioned every year in the force.” Several steps have been undertaken by IAF to attract youngsters such as improvement in job profile and training infrastructure, implementation of the recommendations of 6th Pay Commission, publicity campaigns through print and electronic media etc. “The Short Service Commission for flying branch has also been modified to make men eligible for induction in this branch,” the defence minister said. PTI