The Standing Committee on Defence
has pulled up the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for a “lackadaisical and callous
approach” towards “upgradation of Air Force squadrons”, the numbers of which
stand at 34 against the sanctioned strength of 42.
The MoD on the other hand has blamed
“delay in LCA programme” as one of the major reasons for the shortfall in
capability building of the IAF, besides the delay in induction of 126 medium
multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA).
Expressing “deep regret” over the
ministry’s approach, the committee’s latest report, which was tabled in
Parliament last week, has warned the MoD that the delivery schedule of the
light combat aircraft (LCA) “which is scheduled from June 2014 to December 2016
be stringently followed” and the panel be appraised about the same.
The committee’s comments — included
in the 126-page report — are made against the Defence Ministry’s replies to the
observations of the previous standing committee under the 15th Lok Sabha.
Citing that the number of aircraft
“due for retirement” exceeded the rate at which they were being inducted, the
MoD has envisaged that the Air Force would have 35 combat squadrons by the end
of the 13th Plan period. It, however, depends on the induction of LCA and
MMRCA.
With the planned phase-out of MiG
21s and MiG 27s, the IAF plans to induct two squadrons of LCA and five
squadrons of MMRCA, besides the induction of additional Sukhoi squadrons.
The MoD had said that the delivery
schedule for initial 20 LCA —with Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) — for
series production was from April 2009 to December 2011, while that in the later
configuration —with Final Operational Clearance — was between June 2014 to
December 2016. However, even the first 20 have yet not been delivered to the
IAF.
The MoD in its reply to the standing
committee has also said that the 126 MMRCA would be inducted between “three to
11 years after signing the contract”.
The MMRCA programme, under which
French Rafale was declared the lowest bidder in January 2012, has not
progressed since. The committee headed by Maj Gen (Retd) B C Khanduri has asked
the MoD to keep the standing committee “intimated” about both the programmes.
In another significant admission,
the MoD in its reply has also said that the much delayed induction of the
intermediate jet trainer (IJT) aircraft would be completed by 2019- 2020 in a
phased manner beginning March 2014. While 18 aircraft were to be inducted in
2013-14, 38 are due in 2014-15, 58 in 2015-16 and so on.
But, IJTs are far from being
inducted into the Air Force. While Khanduri’s phone was not reachable, Rajeev
Satav, Lok Sabha MP and a member of the committee, confirmed the tabling of the
report.
‘Bullet proof jackets too few’
Citing the report of the previous
standing committee on defence, the latest report has said that despite an
approval of the Defence Acquisition Council in 2009, there was a “deficiency of
1,86,138 units of bullet proof jackets “.
While the MoD’s reply in the report
said that “efforts re afoot to complete the acquisition process within
laid down timelines”, the present standing committee report has sought timely
procurement of the jackets as well as “action plan for future procurements”.
indianexpress
The
Standing Committee on Defence has pulled up the Ministry of Defence
(MoD) for a “lackadaisical and callous approach” towards “upgradation of
Air Force squadrons”, the numbers of which stand at 34 against the
sanctioned strength of 42.
The MoD on the other hand has blamed “delay in LCA programme” as one of the major reasons for the shortfall in capability building of the IAF, besides the delay in induction of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA).
Expressing “deep regret” over the ministry’s approach, the committee’s latest report, which was tabled in Parliament last week, has warned the MoD that the delivery schedule of the light combat aircraft (LCA) “which is scheduled from June 2014 to December 2016 be stringently followed” and the panel be appraised about the same.
The committee’s comments — included in the 126-page report — are made against the Defence Ministry’s replies to the observations of the previous standing committee under the 15th Lok Sabha.
Citing that the number of aircraft “due for retirement” exceeded the rate at which they were being inducted, the MoD has envisaged that the Air Force would have 35 combat squadrons by the end of the 13th Plan period. It, however, depends on the induction of LCA and MMRCA.
With the planned phase-out of MiG 21s and MiG 27s, the IAF plans to induct two squadrons of LCA and five squadrons of MMRCA, besides the induction of additional Sukhoi squadrons.
The MoD had said that the delivery schedule for initial 20 LCA —with Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) — for series production was from April 2009 to December 2011, while that in the later configuration —with Final Operational Clearance — was between June 2014 to December 2016. However, even the first 20 have yet not been delivered to the IAF.
The MoD in its reply to the standing committee has also said that the 126 MMRCA would be inducted between “three to 11 years after signing the contract”.
The MMRCA programme, under which French Rafale was declared the lowest bidder in January 2012, has not progressed since. The committee headed by Maj Gen (Retd) B C Khanduri has asked the MoD to keep the standing committee “intimated” about both the programmes.
In another significant admission, the MoD in its reply has also said that the much delayed induction of the intermediate jet trainer (IJT) aircraft would be completed by 2019- 2020 in a phased manner beginning March 2014. While 18 aircraft were to be inducted in 2013-14, 38 are due in 2014-15, 58 in 2015-16 and so on.
But, IJTs are far from being inducted into the Air Force. While Khanduri’s phone was not reachable, Rajeev Satav, Lok Sabha MP and a member of the committee, confirmed the tabling of the report.
‘Bullet proof jackets too few’
Citing the report of the previous standing committee on defence, the latest report has said that despite an approval of the Defence Acquisition Council in 2009, there was a “deficiency of 1,86,138 units of bullet proof jackets “.
While the MoD’s reply in the report said that “efforts continued…
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/house-panel-pulls-up-mod-for-lack-of-iaf-squadrons/#sthash.o3puKHEx.dpuf
The MoD on the other hand has blamed “delay in LCA programme” as one of the major reasons for the shortfall in capability building of the IAF, besides the delay in induction of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA).
Expressing “deep regret” over the ministry’s approach, the committee’s latest report, which was tabled in Parliament last week, has warned the MoD that the delivery schedule of the light combat aircraft (LCA) “which is scheduled from June 2014 to December 2016 be stringently followed” and the panel be appraised about the same.
The committee’s comments — included in the 126-page report — are made against the Defence Ministry’s replies to the observations of the previous standing committee under the 15th Lok Sabha.
Citing that the number of aircraft “due for retirement” exceeded the rate at which they were being inducted, the MoD has envisaged that the Air Force would have 35 combat squadrons by the end of the 13th Plan period. It, however, depends on the induction of LCA and MMRCA.
With the planned phase-out of MiG 21s and MiG 27s, the IAF plans to induct two squadrons of LCA and five squadrons of MMRCA, besides the induction of additional Sukhoi squadrons.
The MoD had said that the delivery schedule for initial 20 LCA —with Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) — for series production was from April 2009 to December 2011, while that in the later configuration —with Final Operational Clearance — was between June 2014 to December 2016. However, even the first 20 have yet not been delivered to the IAF.
The MoD in its reply to the standing committee has also said that the 126 MMRCA would be inducted between “three to 11 years after signing the contract”.
The MMRCA programme, under which French Rafale was declared the lowest bidder in January 2012, has not progressed since. The committee headed by Maj Gen (Retd) B C Khanduri has asked the MoD to keep the standing committee “intimated” about both the programmes.
In another significant admission, the MoD in its reply has also said that the much delayed induction of the intermediate jet trainer (IJT) aircraft would be completed by 2019- 2020 in a phased manner beginning March 2014. While 18 aircraft were to be inducted in 2013-14, 38 are due in 2014-15, 58 in 2015-16 and so on.
But, IJTs are far from being inducted into the Air Force. While Khanduri’s phone was not reachable, Rajeev Satav, Lok Sabha MP and a member of the committee, confirmed the tabling of the report.
‘Bullet proof jackets too few’
Citing the report of the previous standing committee on defence, the latest report has said that despite an approval of the Defence Acquisition Council in 2009, there was a “deficiency of 1,86,138 units of bullet proof jackets “.
While the MoD’s reply in the report said that “efforts continued…
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/house-panel-pulls-up-mod-for-lack-of-iaf-squadrons/#sthash.o3puKHEx.dpuf
The
Standing Committee on Defence has pulled up the Ministry of Defence
(MoD) for a “lackadaisical and callous approach” towards “upgradation of
Air Force squadrons”, the numbers of which stand at 34 against the
sanctioned strength of 42.
The MoD on the other hand has blamed “delay in LCA programme” as one of the major reasons for the shortfall in capability building of the IAF, besides the delay in induction of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA).
Expressing “deep regret” over the ministry’s approach, the committee’s latest report, which was tabled in Parliament last week, has warned the MoD that the delivery schedule of the light combat aircraft (LCA) “which is scheduled from June 2014 to December 2016 be stringently followed” and the panel be appraised about the same.
The committee’s comments — included in the 126-page report — are made against the Defence Ministry’s replies to the observations of the previous standing committee under the 15th Lok Sabha.
Citing that the number of aircraft “due for retirement” exceeded the rate at which they were being inducted, the MoD has envisaged that the Air Force would have 35 combat squadrons by the end of the 13th Plan period. It, however, depends on the induction of LCA and MMRCA.
With the planned phase-out of MiG 21s and MiG 27s, the IAF plans to induct two squadrons of LCA and five squadrons of MMRCA, besides the induction of additional Sukhoi squadrons.
The MoD had said that the delivery schedule for initial 20 LCA —with Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) — for series production was from April 2009 to December 2011, while that in the later configuration —with Final Operational Clearance — was between June 2014 to December 2016. However, even the first 20 have yet not been delivered to the IAF.
The MoD in its reply to the standing committee has also said that the 126 MMRCA would be inducted between “three to 11 years after signing the contract”.
The MMRCA programme, under which French Rafale was declared the lowest bidder in January 2012, has not progressed since. The committee headed by Maj Gen (Retd) B C Khanduri has asked the MoD to keep the standing committee “intimated” about both the programmes.
In another significant admission, the MoD in its reply has also said that the much delayed induction of the intermediate jet trainer (IJT) aircraft would be completed by 2019- 2020 in a phased manner beginning March 2014. While 18 aircraft were to be inducted in 2013-14, 38 are due in 2014-15, 58 in 2015-16 and so on.
But, IJTs are far from being inducted into the Air Force. While Khanduri’s phone was not reachable, Rajeev Satav, Lok Sabha MP and a member of the committee, confirmed the tabling of the report.
‘Bullet proof jackets too few’
Citing the report of the previous standing committee on defence, the latest report has said that despite an approval of the Defence Acquisition Council in 2009, there was a “deficiency of 1,86,138 units of bullet proof jackets “.
While the MoD’s reply in the report said that “efforts continued…
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/house-panel-pulls-up-mod-for-lack-of-iaf-squadrons/#sthash.o3puKHEx.dpuf
The MoD on the other hand has blamed “delay in LCA programme” as one of the major reasons for the shortfall in capability building of the IAF, besides the delay in induction of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA).
Expressing “deep regret” over the ministry’s approach, the committee’s latest report, which was tabled in Parliament last week, has warned the MoD that the delivery schedule of the light combat aircraft (LCA) “which is scheduled from June 2014 to December 2016 be stringently followed” and the panel be appraised about the same.
The committee’s comments — included in the 126-page report — are made against the Defence Ministry’s replies to the observations of the previous standing committee under the 15th Lok Sabha.
Citing that the number of aircraft “due for retirement” exceeded the rate at which they were being inducted, the MoD has envisaged that the Air Force would have 35 combat squadrons by the end of the 13th Plan period. It, however, depends on the induction of LCA and MMRCA.
With the planned phase-out of MiG 21s and MiG 27s, the IAF plans to induct two squadrons of LCA and five squadrons of MMRCA, besides the induction of additional Sukhoi squadrons.
The MoD had said that the delivery schedule for initial 20 LCA —with Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) — for series production was from April 2009 to December 2011, while that in the later configuration —with Final Operational Clearance — was between June 2014 to December 2016. However, even the first 20 have yet not been delivered to the IAF.
The MoD in its reply to the standing committee has also said that the 126 MMRCA would be inducted between “three to 11 years after signing the contract”.
The MMRCA programme, under which French Rafale was declared the lowest bidder in January 2012, has not progressed since. The committee headed by Maj Gen (Retd) B C Khanduri has asked the MoD to keep the standing committee “intimated” about both the programmes.
In another significant admission, the MoD in its reply has also said that the much delayed induction of the intermediate jet trainer (IJT) aircraft would be completed by 2019- 2020 in a phased manner beginning March 2014. While 18 aircraft were to be inducted in 2013-14, 38 are due in 2014-15, 58 in 2015-16 and so on.
But, IJTs are far from being inducted into the Air Force. While Khanduri’s phone was not reachable, Rajeev Satav, Lok Sabha MP and a member of the committee, confirmed the tabling of the report.
‘Bullet proof jackets too few’
Citing the report of the previous standing committee on defence, the latest report has said that despite an approval of the Defence Acquisition Council in 2009, there was a “deficiency of 1,86,138 units of bullet proof jackets “.
While the MoD’s reply in the report said that “efforts continued…
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/house-panel-pulls-up-mod-for-lack-of-iaf-squadrons/#sthash.o3puKHEx.dpuf
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