Study group constituted to examine extending life of Viraat

New Delhi, Mar 15 (UNI) A study group has been constituted to explore the feasibility of extending the service life of Indian Naval ship Viraat till 2012, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Defence Minister A K Antony said in a written reply that the study group has recommended that extension of the service life of the ship upto 2012 is possible subject to certain repairs being undertaken in addition to routine periodic maintenance.

He said warships are inducted in the Navy for replacement and augmentation of Naval Fleet. ''This is a continuous process based on the threat perception and international security environment. It will not be in the interest of National Security to divulge the details of the replacement and augmentation of Naval fleet,''he added.

Responding to another question, Mr Antony said the Government has received the trial report of Bell 407 and Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopter. He said the trials have been completed and the General Staff evaluation of the trial report approved by the Indian Army has been accepted by the Defence Ministry.

He said army requirments are worked out on the basis of detailed assessments and threat perceptions. Equipment induction is an ongoing exercise and undertaken as per the projections in the long term, medium term and Annual accretion plan of the services under the provisions of the Defence Procurement Proposals.

In response to another question, Mr Antony said one Jaguar aircraft crashed on January 18, this year at Pokhran range in Rajasthan resulting in the death of a pilot.

He said the Jaguar aircraft was on a live armament sortie over Pokhran range when the accident took place. All such accidents are investigated through a Court of Inquiry and remedial measures are undertaken accordingly.

He said phasing out of aircraft is based on the operational requirments, airworthiness of the fleet and residual life. This is periodically reviewed and actions are taken accordingly.

UNI