101 IAF pilots have applied for early retirement: Antony

Government today said 101 Indian Air Force pilots have applied for premature retirement citing suppression, lack of career progression, medical and compassionate grounds as the reasons. "Around 101 pilots of the IAF have applied for the grant of premature retirement during the last one year," Defence Minister A K Antony said in a written reply to a query in the Rajya Sabha.

Government today said 101 Indian Air Force pilots have applied for premature retirement citing suppression, lack of career progression, medical and compassionate grounds as the reasons. "Around 101 pilots of the IAF have applied for the grant of premature retirement during the last one year," Defence Minister A K Antony said in a written reply to a query in the Rajya Sabha.

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"The broad reasons furnished by applicants for grant of premature retirement are suppression, lack of career progression, medical and compassionate (grounds) etc," he said.

The minister said the IAF considers these applications on-case-to-case basis in accordance with the existing government policies.

He added that the IAF was taking several steps such as advertising in print and electronic media, motivational lectures in schools and participation career fairs to reach out to youth across the country.

Replying to another query, the Minister said IAF had lost 13 aircraft in different crashes during the year.

The list includes an An-32 transport aircraft, three MIG 27s, three MiG 21s, two Su-30MKIs in Jaisalmer, one each Mi-17 and Mi-8 along with two trainer aircraft.