The Hindu : Govt. in final stages of procuring AJTs: Fernandes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 25, 2003

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National

Govt. in final stages of procuring AJTs: Fernandes

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JULY 24. The Government said today in the Lok Sabha that the procurement of Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) to replace the crash-prone MiG-21 for training rookie pilots was in the final stages.

"The AJT proposal is now before the Cabinet Secretariat. The last action on part of the Ministry of Defence has been finalised,'' said the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, during question hour. The Government had decided in 1986 to induct AJTs from a smooth transition of pilots on to the frontline squadrons equipped with high technology aircraft. However, the Government was unable to finalise the choice due to intensive lobbying by various Governments and corporates.

The Government had "asked certain questions to the British Government pertaining to the AJT and is awaiting its answer. If the reply comes today, then we will start our action tomorrow. If it comes during this week, we will start the process next week,'' he told Omar Abdullah (National Conference).

In the absence of AJTs, not only does the IAF use some of the oldest MiG-21 aircraft in the inventory but also purchases second-hand aircraft being disposed off mostly by former eastern bloc nations. Keeping operational requirements in view, the Air Headquarters had made a desk survey in December 1985 of a number of AJTs then available in the world market. Request for proposals for AJT was issued on three occasions and finally two companies — British Aerospace's Hawk and Dassault's Alpha Jet — were short-listed in 1999. Mr. Fernandes made it clear that various options for procurement were under examination and no contract had been finalised.

To take to the skies again

By Javed Ansari

NEW DELHI JULY 24. After his overnight stay in a submarine, and a flight in a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft, the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, intends to take to the skies, again — this time in a MiG-21.

Mr. Fernandes today told the Lok Sabha that he intended taking to the skies in a MiG-21, to prove its air-worthiness. This response came to a light-hearted suggestion by Omar Abdullah (National Conference) that Mr. Fernandes had opted for the safer Sukhoi-30. He should take a flight in the accident-prone aircraft to prove its air-worthiness.

Mr. Fernandes told the House that preparations were under-way and he would soon take a flight in a MiG-21. "I had suggested this to the Air Chief but some engagements came in the way. I will, however, fly at the earliest opportunity."

The issue came up during a question posed to Mr. Fernandes on the repeated crash of MiG series aircraft. Asking a supplementary on the issue, Mr. Abdullah suggested that not only should the Minister consider flying in the aircraft but also consider taking his parliamentary colleagues along to instil confidence in people about the aircraft's safety. Mr. Fernandes was quick to respond. He said he would soon undertake the flight in a MiG variant, but regretted his inability to take his colleagues along. "Only two people can sit in a fighter aircraft," he said.

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