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IAF to keep away naval aircraft at R-Day fly-past

The Indian Air Force is taking to air a collection of safe, time-tested and reliable aircraft for the Republic Day parade, keeping away the naval air arm.

Determined not to commit an error, the Air Force has this year decided to fly only twin-engine aircraft, a practice being followed for the past few years. More importantly, the IAF has decided to keep away the navy's aircraft, some of which flew over the majestic Republic Day parade at Rajpath last year.

The decision to keep away naval aircraft, a senior air force official said, was prompted by last year's near miss between an air force formation and two naval aircraft. Below, by the Rajpath sat almost every dignitary in India, and chief guest Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. Among those who were watching were President K R Narayanan, Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, Vice President Krishna Kant, senior ministers, defence chiefs etc. In the air, an IAF Ilyusion-76 and a naval Tupolev-142 came as close as 600 feet.

Nothing is known of the independent investigations by navy and air force, though both have been blaming each other.

"This time we thought we should keep it small and safe," a senior air force official said. The IAF is in charge of the fly-past, the spectacular show of Indian military's air arms as the majestic parade flows through Rajpath.

When questioned on precautions taken to avoid mishaps, Air Vice Marshal S K Jain of the Air Headquarters said the air force has been doing fly-past "for years, we do it with high professionalism, accuracy and after several checks."

A Big Boy formation led by an IL-76, the IAF's strategic transport aircraft, and comprising two AN-32s and two Dornier planes, and a formation of three Tupolev 142M, the navy's long-range patrol and anti-submarine aircraft, had participated last year.

The IAF is also being careful about bird hits. Air Vice Marshal Jain said the IAF is requesting the public not to bring food items to the parade or carry out any activity that attracts birds. He said the IAF is flying only twin engine aircraft for some years now, thus reducing the risk.

The planes will descend only in the last minutes, so as to trim down chances of a bird hit.

This year, the Air Force will be flying 23 aircraft for the parade. The fly-past will be led by four Mi-8 in Y formation, with the one at the centre carrying the national tri-colour, and the other three carrying service flags. Helicopters will also be dropping flower petals.

Next will be the Big Boy formation, comprising one IL-76, two An-32s and two Dorniers. It would be followed by three SU-30s in Vic formation, to be followed by two Shock Wave formations, each comprising five Jaguars.

The last component will be a single SU-30, which will perform a vertical Charlie maneuver and disappear into the air.

On the ground, the Air Force will be displaying Lakshya, the pilotless target aircraft developed indigenously, which was inducted into service recently. Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation, Lakshya is being displayed for the first time. The pilotless target aircraft, is a state of the art aerial target system with advanced technology designed for realistic threat stimulation for combat pilots and surface-to-air guided weapons.

Laskshya will be followed by OSA-AK-M combat vehicle which carries the surface-to-air guided missile system, basically designed to provide air defence cover. The system can do circular scanning, target acquisition, identification and selection of air targets even while it is moving. The missile can be launched at a very short period, and so it is called a Low Level Quick Reaction Missile System.

The IAF will also be exhibiting the Indra-II radar, indigenously developed and extensively in use. It is a vital component in IAF's air defence network.

Besides, there would be Mi-35 helicopter, a MIG-21 BIS fighter and a Jaguar aircraft on display as part of the contingent.

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