— Photo: PTI

ALLAYING CONCERNS: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi addressing the media in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S. P. Tyagi, on Thursday dismissed concerns about the combat worthiness of IAF fleet. He denied that this week's high-level meeting took place because of concerns he expressed at the dwindling fleet strength in a letter to Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Speaking at a customary news conference here, before the Air Force Day on October 8, Air Chief Marshal Tyagi also denied there was political insensitivity to the IAF's plea for speeding up import of 126 multirole combat aircraft (MRCA).

``It would be very wrong to suggest that the Government is not concerned. In fact, the system is actually looking at our request.''

Pressed for a time frame by when the import deal would be signed, he said: "For two years I have being saying soon. Suffice [it] to say I will stop saying soon."

Air Chief Marshal Tyagi said the request for proposals (RFP), which initiates the tendering process, was a complex document. It was revised twice due to changes in purchase procedures with the introduction of new concepts such as life cycle costs and offsets (defraying 30 per cent of the import value through industrial activity within the country).

On the modernisation and induction programme, he said any number of air assets were not enough to develop a strategic reach. ``Even the U.S. Air Force claims it does not have enough aircraft." But for the time being taken to purchase MRCA, acquisition and modernisation plans were largely on course.

The advanced jet trainer Hawk would fly in India by September 2007. Next year would also see induction of three AWACS (planes equipped with sophisticated radars to detect air activity in a 300-km radius of their flight path) as well as import of 80 new helicopters. Manufacturers agreed to accelerate the production of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter planes and provide the IAF with more advanced light helicopters, Dhruv. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, maker of Dhruv, would also supply 20 Jaguar bombers, besides continuing to work on the light combat aircraft, Tejas.

The IAF embarked on an extensive upgrade programme comprising almost the entire transport and fighter fleet. Upgrades were being carried out on MiG-27 and Jaguars, besides MiG-21 BiS, and were planned for MiG-29 and Mirage-2000 (fighters), An-32 and IL-76 (transport planes) and Mi-17 (helicopters).

The IAF was looking for six refuellers to double the fleet strength. It was developing the capability to utilise assets in space to shorten the "sensor to killer loop."

The military component of the proposed aerospace command would be tri-services command though the IAF would have primacy, as was the case with similar commands in other countries. "Civil agencies are also involved in space. That has to be considered. We are working on the nuts and bolts. The question is how and when."

Cannot ignore Pakistan's plan

On Pakistan's plan to acquire new assets including F-16 fighter planes, he said: "As air chief, I should not give the impression of being worried. But are you going to ignore it? The answer is no."

As the balance of power changed in the subcontinent, the military's job was to incorporate the development in its training, defensive posture and doctrine. "So we keep a close watch all round the world. But I would hesitate to use the word `worried'.''

Admitting that there was a near miss between a passenger plane and a fighter during the IAF exercise ``Gagan Shakti,'' last month, Air Chief Marshal Tyagi said that with the growth in civilian traffic, both sides must make adjustments and step up coordination.

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