Indian Air Force gets go-ahead for expansion plan

Govt has allowed IAF to acquire 80 new helicopters, 120 warplanes and six air-refuelling planes as part of an expansion plan.

Government has given a nod to the Indian Air Force (IAF) to acquire 80 new helicopters, 120 warplanes and six air-refuelling planes as part of an expansion plan, Air Chief S P Tyagi has said.

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Purchase of new medium-range transport aircraft in the 15-20 tonne class is also on the anvil along with induction of indigenously-developed light combat aircraft, he told BBC.

On acquisition of Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT), for combat training of pilots, Tyagi said the delivery of 66 British-made AJTs to India will begin next year.

On the issue of fighter aircraft pilots wanting to quit IAF for better salaries being offered by private Indian airlines, the Air Chief said a few pilots wanted to quit but their number was in single digits and not in hundreds.

Aerospace integration including organisation and protection of IAF assets in space will be the main focus of the force over the coming years, the Air Chief said.