Keeping in view the changing geo-economic situation, the Indian Air Force is expanding its reach to protect its areas of interest and sending request for proposal to acquire 126 new aircraft, Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi has said.
"India has been making progress in the field of economy and it would continue to march forward in the future. In this context trade and business will become more important so would be its security," he said in an interview to India TV television Channel.
The IAF would be sending request for proposal for 126 aircraft within one-two weeks, Tyagi said, adding that if economics assumes importance, then providing security to related subjects also assume importance.
"Provision of security to mineral reserves and oil will assume importance," he said.
Tyagi said India would acquire the Advanced Air Warning and Control System by the end of next year, which would extend the reach of the Air Force. Stressing on the importance of integration of defence systems, Tyagi said the country would need to have a separate organisation to exploit space technology and the use of military satellites.
"The future is very exciting. I wish that India, its citizens and the Air Force should pay attention to the future. The Air Force has an altogether different role to play as compared to what we have done so far in history," he said.
On accidents of MiG aircraft, the Air Chief said the frequency of accidents have been decreasing consistently. "Compared with the earlier days the accidents have been reduced to 1/10th of what it was earlier," he said.