shortage even after induction of SU 30 MKI: Tyagi

Bangalore, Dec 27 (UNI) Depletion of the combat force of IAF will manifest once again even after induction of the Sukhoi-30s, the multirole combat aircraft and the light combat aircraft, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi has said.

Writing in the inaugural issue of ''Plane'' the inhouse magazine of defence aviation major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, he said the depletion of combat force would be faced at the end of the technical life of existing aircraft such as Bison, (up graded MIG 21) Jaguar, Mirage, and MIG-29.

''This needs to be addressed at the earliest, with HAL playing a major role'' he arrested.

ACM Tyagi said HAL should take a lead role in the development of a fifth generation fighter aircraft, which developed and produced in an international joint venture. Even aviation leaders such as the US, Europe and Russia have been forced to collaborate with other countries for such ambitious development projects because of cost implications and technical challenges, he noted.

The Air Chief said the offset policy, announced recently, was another initiative which would boster business potential for HAL.

Every major defence deal of over Rs, 300 crore requires the Original Equipment Manufacturer to offer at least 30 per cent direct offsets.

With major new inductions and upgradation schemes on the anvil, HAL has business opportunities of over Rs.20,000 crore in the next decade, the Air Chief said. Product support, including repair and overhaul for HAL products could add almost as much to the turnover of HAL in the long term. Thus the business opportunities for HAL were indeed exciting and ''we expect a four to five fold increase in the next decade'' he added.

Advocating full autonomy to all five business groups of HAL in decision making, he said they should even be allowed to compete against each other.

On his dream on HAL he said HAL should play a steller role in ensuing India's place as a global competitor in aerospace products.

It should enter into partnerships with private sector firms and follow a market style management, independent of bureaucratic control.

UNI VK HVB PDM VC1625