The Indian Air Force inventory is a mix of old and new equipment. Ageing of equipment is a natural process and is dealt with through proper maintenance, obsolescence management, upgrades and acquisition of new equipment without compromising safety. The MiG-21 and MiG-27 UPG aircraft of Indian Air Force will be phased out on completion of their Total Calendar Life / Total Technical Life by 2024.
Phasing out of aircraft and their replacement with new generation aircraft depends upon national security, strategic objectives and operational requirements of the defence forces and is reviewed by the Government from time to time. This is a continuous process.
Every aircraft which is launched by Indian Air Force is fully airworthy. Further, the details of aircraft accidents during last three years and the current year (upto 04.03.2018) are as follows:
|
Year
|
No. of aircraft accidents
|
|
2014-15
|
10
|
|
2015-16
|
06
|
|
2016-17
|
10
|
|
2017-18
(upto 04.03.2018)
|
05
|
Every aircraft accident in the Indian Air Force is investigated by a Court of Inquiry (CoI) to ascertain the cause of accident which may range from human error, technical defect, bird strike etc.
This information was given by RakshaRajyaMantriDr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to ShriRavindra Kumar Pandey and Shri RamsinhRathwain LokSabha today.
NAo/Nampi/Rajib