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50 pc of MiG-21 variants are obsolete, says defence minister

Defence Minister George Fernandes yesterday informed the Rajya Sabha that variants of MiG-21 aircraft, which constitute 50 per cent of the Indian Air Force fleet, are "at the tail end of spectrum or already obsolescent".

In reply to a question, the minister said necessary action is taken for replacement of the ageing fleet.

He admitted that the chief of the air staff had expressed concern over accidents due to technical defects in some of the IAF's ageing aircraft.

Fernandes said the basic design feature of an aircraft cannot be changed in an effort to extend its life, especially in ageing aircraft.

However, a number of steps have been taken to improve design features of vital aircraft components.

A high-powered committee constituted by the government, under the chairmanship of A P J Abdul Kalam, the scientific adviser to the defence minister, has also reviewed the entire accident scenario and made certain recommendations to improve upon design features.

Giving details about accidents, the minister said flying accidents, which were about 30 per year in 1980s, has fallen to an average of 22 per year in the current decade.

There has been only 13 accidents in the IAF during 1997-98, which is the lowest figure so far, he said.

Meanwhile, just hours later, an IAF MIG-29 fighter crashed near Jaisalmer, killing the pilot.

A police spokesperson said the plane took off from Utarlai airstrip in adjoining Barmer district for a routine sortie, but developed some snags after some time. The plane crashed about three kilometres from Jaisalmer town.

UNI

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