Don’t delay Procurement of Fighter Jets for IAF: Parliamentary Committee
New Delhi. The procurement of additional fighter jets must not be delayed and a final decision should be taken on a third aircraft carrier, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence said in its report tabled in the House on March 21.
“In no uncertain words, (we) recommend that Ministry of Defence may take a final decision, chalk out a trajectory and start the planning process for the third aircraft carrier,” the committee said.
It said the Navy’s requests for manufacturing a third aircraft carrier have been made several times. Two aircraft carriers are consistently required for meeting threat perceptions and for preparedness and striking capabilities during war. The third is needed as carriers have long maintenance schedules.
The induction of an aircraft carrier is a long gestation exercise and the entire budget is not required in a particular year but in a staggered manner which may be spread out over a decade.
Finding “considerable delay” in the supply of 40 LCA Tejas jets from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the committee said: “The government should consider buying state-of-the-art fifth generation fighter aircraft over the counter without losing time to keep the force in a comfortable position,”
