Press Trust of India,
India will soon float global tenders for the acquisition of Medium Range Combat Aircraft to meet the shortfall in squadron strength.
“The Request for Proposals (RFPs) is under the active consideration of the Government,” Air Chief SP Tyagi said indcating that changes brought about in the procurement policy had necessiated some modifications in the proposed issue of global tenders.
He said in the RFP no limitations would be set and the tenders would be open even to “new players”. Five major companies, US's Lockheed-Martin and Boeing, French Dassault, Swedish Gripen and Russian MiG were currently vying for the Indian contract.
When asked if the number of fighters proposed to be purchased would be more than the planned 126 aircraft, Tyagi, who was speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the first-ever International Conference on Flight Safety being hosted by the country, said “at the moment no”.
His remarks assume significance against the background of reports that Government was considering purchase of more fighters than the planned 126 aircraft to maintain IAF Squadron strength for effective operational capability and to cater to any delay in induction of the country's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft.
Rejecting comments that the offset policy was proving to be a hindrance, the Air Chief said that aviation giants bidding for the IAF-MRCA tender had indicated that they were ready for offsets under which they would make some investments in the country in defence-related areas.
Tyagi said as part of the new strategy, IAF was now insisting on going in for “long term contracts” to smoothen the supply of spares for weapon platforms. He said recently a high level team had been sent to Russia to draw out a long-term strategy for supply of essential spares for Russian frontline equipment in use with Indian forces to keep the servicibility of weapons systems at peak levels.
Asked whether the IAF would be able to fully utilise the enhanced budgetary grants for capital outlay, Tyagi said his force had initiated a number of proposals and was confident that IAF would utilize all its grants.
On the grounding of the idigenous Advance Light Helicopter, Dhruv, he said while a number of them were flying, some were grounded as checks were being undertaken following the recent crash of one of the helicopters.
“We are undertaking exhaustive checks to satisfy ourselves before we order the chopper to be airborne again,” he said.
