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Friday, Nov 26, 2004

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National

Expert group to probe IAF crashes: Pranab

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 25. The Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, today said an expert group would be set up to probe the reasons for the crashes of IAF fighters. It will examine various issues related to maintenance, training and machinery of these aircraft. The last committee was set up almost a decade ago and was headed by the present President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

New department

Addressing members of the consultative committee which met for the first time after being constituted, Mr. Mukherjee said a department of ex-servicemen would be set up to address their concerns better. The new department will coordinate the implementation of several ex-servicemen welfare schemes, including the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme with various State Governments. It will also look into various post-service requirements of ex-servicemen.

Mr. Mukherjee said the creation of the post of Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) as per the recommendations of the Group of Ministers required a larger political consensus. However, he agreed that the present arrangement of the Chairman Chief of the Staff Committee was not a substitute for CDS.

Intelligence cooperation

Responding to a question regarding the need for more coordination between the intelligence agencies, he said the setting up of the Defence Intelligence Agency was a step in this direction. Complimenting the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for its contribution to various indigenous defence development programmes, he noted that the Light Combat Aircraft, `Tejas,' developed by the DRDO, has successfully completed 300 flights without any major problem.

Mr. Mukherjee said one of the reasons for delay in many DRDO projects was the sanctions imposed on India by some countries. He said it had always been India's endeavour to ensure transfer of the latest technology in every major equipment acquisition from abroad.

Stressing the need for more participation by the private sector in defence production, Mr. Mukherjee said the Government had set up a group headed by Vijay Kelkar to suggest concrete steps to be taken in this direction. He hoped this group would submit its report by next month.

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