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Lapses in IAF upgrading programmes: CAG
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, DEC. 17. The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) has found serious lapses in the upgrading and renovation programmes of the Indian Air Force (IAF), thereby compromising air-preparedness.
The Government sanctioned the upgrading programme of MiG Bis aircraft in January 1996. It identified 125 MiG Bis aircraft for integration of advanced avionics and weapon system, either to be imported or developed indigenously. The cost of the project was Rs. 2,003 crores and the upgrading was to be completed by September 2001.
But, according to the CAG report, due to the delay in indigenous development of certain avionics systems, coupled with the delay in flight-testing, the programme is now expected to be completed by 2004. As a result, not only will the Air Force be compelled to use the ageing MiG Bis aircraft, but the efficacy of the entire and costly upgrading programme has now become questionable as the total technical life of the aircraft has not yet been extended.
The MiG Bis version came into the market in the 1970s and the total technical life of the fleet was required to be extended from 22 to 40 years by full-scale fatigue test of the airframe and necessary modifications for safe operation. The contract for this was concluded in October 1997 at a cost of Rs. 40.63 crores for completion by October 1999. This was yet to be completed as of July 2000, the report said.
Another delayed project of the IAF involved the retromodification of the Jaguar. The outdated first generation navigation and attack systems were to be replaced and this project was sanctioned in 1996 for completion by 2000-01. The project is yet to take off and is not expected to be completed before 2006. According to the CAG, the delay in procurement of mission computer, maritime radar and autopilot system was operationally detrimental and had affected the availability of aircraft, besides resulting in the loss of four Jaguar aircraft and the death of three pilots.
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