Govt panel calls on pvt sector to enhance IAF capabilities

A top government committee on Monday recommended a raft of short and long-term measures to boost the capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is grappling with a shortage of fighter squadrons, pointing out that it was critical to enhance self-reliance in the aerospace sector through increased participation of the private sector to fill critical gaps, officials aware of the matter said.

- Rahul Singh

NEW DELHI:

The committee's report, classified "secret", comes at a time when the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, has publicly flagged concerns about a worrying erosion of capabilities and called for urgent measures to address it.

Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh presented the report of the empowered committee for capability enhancement of the IAF to defence minister Rajnath Singh, days after the IAF chief admitted that the air force was "very badly off in numbers", adding that it must induct 40 fighter jets every year to stay combat ready.

The report is a comprehensive summary of what needs to be done and has reviewed every aspect of capability development, including weapons and systems, technology, infrastructure and capacity for local production, to sharpen the IAF's combat effectiveness, the officials said, asking not to be named.

"The committee has identified key thrust areas and made recommendations for implementation in the short, medium and long-term to achieve the desired capability enhancement goals of the IAF in an optimal manner," the defence ministry said.

The report also underscored the need for providing impetus to Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) with the private sector complementing the efforts of defence public sector undertakings and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the ministry said in a statement.