INDIAN ARMED FORCES CHIEFS ON OUR RELENTLESS AND FOCUSED PUBLISHING EFFORTS
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- Indian Air Force Aims for Full Indigenous Inventory by 2047 — Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh
- General Upendra Dwivedi takes over as the Chief of the Army Staff
- Rajnath Singh assumes charge as Defence Minister for the second consecutive term
- Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi assumes Command of the Indian Navy as 26th Chief of the Naval Staff
- Prime Minister witnesses 'Bharat Shakti' – a Tri-Services Firing and Manoeuvre Exercise in Pokhran, Rajasthan
IAF on course: CAS
Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik took over as Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force, in May 2009, and after having spent a major part of his career tackling challenges facing the IAF, will retire on July 31 this year. Excerpts of the interview with SP’s:
SP’s: What is the latest on the medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA) programme as you had mentioned that the contract would be signed before September 2011?
CAS: The Eurofighter Typhoon and the Rafale have been shortlisted. I am hopeful that the remaining processes will also happen as per our timelines. If there are no glitches, then the contract should get inked early. We expect to induct the first MMRCA squadron in three years from the date of signing of contract. The option clause for procurement of additional MMRCA exists in the request for proposal (RFP) and a decision would be taken subsequently.
SP’s: Is the IAF revamping its air defence system?
CAS: Some of the radars on our inventory are reaching the end of their useful life and we plan to reinforce our AD cover with the induction of new radar and sensors. The induction of medium power radars has already commenced. IAF will also be inducting multi-purpose rifle sight (MPRs), low level transportable radars (LLTRs) and low level light weight radars (LLLWRs). The total percentage of legacy sensors will reduce below 20 per cent by 2014-15.
SP’s: Is there a lull in the international air exercises?
CAS: It is not accurate that there is a lull in participation in international engagements. We had joint exercises with France and UK last year and would be exercising with Oman this year. Our yearly engagement with Singapore continues, in addition to Republic of Singapore Air Force participation
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