Replacements would be made, as the government is aware of the need for upgradation of the ageing fleet, he told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar 'Defence -- industry partnership in human resource development'.
Keeping in mind the threat perception in the region, the ministry would induct 126 additional aircraft for which the Request for Proposals would be issued, he said.
Mukherjee said some state governments were not carrying out rehabilitation of ex-servicemen in accordance with the norms laid down. States like Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh had allotted substantial land to ex-servicemen and preference was given to them in various state government jobs, he said.
The seminar was organised by CII and Directorate General of Resettlement.
Mukherjee said nearly 60,000 service personnel were retiring each year and he had written to all chief ministers to properly rehabilitate them according to the rules.
He had urged the West Bengal government to give special emphasis in recruiting ex-servicemen. The minister also urged the corporate sector to engage the services of retired defence personnel because of their integrity and skills.
The suggestion for setting up a national commission for rehabilitation would be examined by the ministry, he said. The minister also hoped that the new pay commission constituted would look after the problems of the defence personnel.
Mukherjee said both the public and the private sector should recruit retired personnel for their quality and skills. The DGR, set up under the defence ministry, is responsible for looking after the welfare of nearly one million ex-servicemen and their dependents and widows.