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Indian Air Force planning to set up aerospace group

Rajesh Nair

It would integrate the various components of the force

Air Vice-Marshal D. N. Ganesh — Photo: T. Singaravelou

PONDICHERRY: The Indian Air Force would come out with a "concept document" by next year for setting up an "aerospace group," Assistant Chief of Air Staff Air Vic-Marshal D.N. Ganesh said here on Wednesday.

"The concept, which was mooted three years ago, has picked up momentum recently, and we are giving a thrust to it as part of the Air Force upgradation process," he said in an informal chat with The Hindu .

Explaining the concept, he said, "It is an integration of various components of the Air Force. Our satellites, radars, communication systems, laboratories, low-flying aircraft, high-flying aircraft and helicopters would be integrated."

This would be done taking into consideration various needs such as communication, reconnaissance and battlefield damage assessment.

Concept document

The concept document would provide guidelines on how to go about the process. "The formation would be significant in a war scenario," he said.

The Air Forces of eight countries, including China, have similar systems and the IAF was studying some of the models. "Our men have already visited the United States and got a feel of their system. However, we would have our own model."

On Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi's visit to Sri Lanka, he said, "There is no hidden significance. His visit is not related to the escalation of tension in that country." On reports that the United Kingdom would stop the supply of spares of some aircraft, he said, "The IAF is not dependent on them. It will not have any impact on us."

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