Mishap rate will cut down with AJT: Air Marshal

Chandigarh, Mar 25 (UNI) Air Marshal A K Singh today said the IAF would soon get 24 Advance Jet Trainers (AJT) and another 42 would be developed at the HAL.

With the upgradation of technology, pilots would graduate from sub-sonic to super-sonic speed and incidents of plane crashes would reduce, he told mediapersons here.

He said six pilots had already been trained with AJT at the Royal Air Force Training Academy, United Kingdom.

On the issue of rising incidents of air crashes, he said, ''For IAF one accident is too many and despite best efforts, accidents do happen.'' When asked about the involvement of MiG aircraft in maximum crashes, he said, ''There are 460 MiG aircraft and if a plane crashes, 33 per cent chances are that it is a MiG.'' On the future requirements, the Air Marshal said that IAF has sent a proposal to the Defence Ministry for the immediate need of 126 aircraft and were also looking forward to acquire medium lift aircrafts.

On a visit here on the occasion of Air Force awareness campaign, the Air Marshal said for the better use of old aircrafts, these were being given to schools, colleges and engineering institutes at a minimal price.

Putting aside the traditional and deep rooted norms, the IAF has changed the saluting system for the last two weeks and now the salute would be at 45 degree and could be done headgear or cap to give more comfort to its personnel, he said.

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