The Hindu : National : IAF plans modernisation of its fleet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 26, 2005

National

National

IAF plans modernisation of its fleet

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Faced with a dwindling fleet and the unlikely prospect of new fighter aircraft being inducted in the near future, the Air Force is embarking on a massive upgradation of its entire fleet of frontline fighters and missiles.

With the Government asking it to be prepared for operations in neighbouring countries, the IAF is also planning to modernise and extend the reach of its medium-lift transport aircraft and large helicopters. The issue was considered at the recently-concluded commanders conference, the Vice-Chief of Air Staff Ajit Bhavnani told newspersons here on Monday.

"The shell will be the same but the radars, avionics and missiles will be new. This should be completed in five to six years and the aircraft will be nearly new. Our squadron strength is dwindling but in due course we hope to get it back again," Air Marshal Bhavnani said.

Besides upgrading the An-32 transport aircraft and MI-17 helicopters, the IAF also plans to fit them with refuelling pods to extend their reach.

"As the nation grows in stature, the IAF would be reaching out to other countries needing assistance. This would not be for fighting war but to help in times of disaster or for United Nations mandated tasks."

The IAF recently sent contingents under the U.N. flag to Sierra Leone, Sudan and Congo. It was also in the thick of tsunami relief operations in neighbouring countries. "This was not there in the past. The IAF is now going out whereas earlier it was only the Army," Air Marshal Bhavnani said .

Air refuellers

The Air Force also plans to purchase six air-to-air refuellers that will double its existing fleet.

These IL-78 planes can also double as cargo aircraft or carry fuel for civilians, such as they did when the Kashmir Valley was cut off due to snow earlier this year.

Apart from upgrading the MiG-29, Mirage and Jaguar fighters, the IAF is keeping open the option of modernising some of its MiG-21 BiS aircraft.

About 125 of these fighters were recently modernised and the IAF will conduct a study to weigh the cost effectiveness of modernising these against purchasing new planes.

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