Expressing concern over the falling numerical strength of fighter squadrons, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne indicated the inking of the Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal should not be delayed any longer.
Expressing concern over the falling numerical strength of fighter squadrons, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne indicated the inking of the Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal should not be delayed any longer. He said inking of the deal was the “only option” which “has to work”. He said the government was very well aware of the importance of the deal for the IAF and the country. The proposed mega-deal for 126 MMRCA — that could be worth about '110,000 crore — is currently in a long contract negotiation process between the government and French firm Dassault that manufactures the Rafale fighter aircraft. The IAF chief also indicated that any further delay in the inking the deal would see the IAF fighter aircraft force levels “go down rapidly”. He said the IAF is operating with “much less” aircraft than the authorised strength of 42 squadrons. The IAF seems to be worried about the fast-closing gap between the numerical strength of fighter squadrons of the IAF and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The IAF chief also said the IAF urgently needed Intermediate Jet Trainers (IJTs) and urged the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to focus on this. “If we sign the MMRCA contract next year, we will get the first plane in 2017, and 2017 is the end of the 12th plan. We cannot delay it any further, beyond that,” the IAF chief said, at a press conference ahead of Air Force Day on October 8. “The authorisation is for 42 squadrons of fighter aircraft. Presently, we are much less than that... In the 12th and 13th Plan (2012-2022), we have to maintain a certain force level because that is where the maximum draw down is taking place. So, we lose a number of squadrons in these two plan periods,” he said. “In case, MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) does not come to us in the end of the 12th Plan (2017), then our force levels will go down rapidly.” “That is what we have to prevent. We have to maintain force levels to provide deterrent capabilities to the country,” the IAF chief said. Asked if the recent death of the MoD’s joint secretary Arun Kumar Bal, who was dealing with acquisitions, may result in delay in the project, Air Chief Marshal Browne said, “We have lost a big player. It is a setback for us not only in the MMRCA (project) but everything we are procuring. Now, whosoever comes in his place, will take 3-4 months to settle down.”
