Dearth of aircrafts don't pose threat: Rane

Gwalior, Apr 2 (UNI) Southern Air Command's Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal Yashwantrao Rane today denied that the declining number of fighter's in Indian Air Force fleet posed a threat and assured that aircraft such as Awacs and more mid-air refueller aircraft would be included in the IAF by next year.

He told reporters here today that it was true that some of the Mig 21 and Mig 23 series of aircraft had been pulled off but it had not affected the IAF's capability.

''We are not only upgrading our fighter aircrafts and weapons but also including aircraft such as Awacs and more IL-78 mid-air refueellers in the IAF by next year,'' he said, adding that the Centre was serious over the matter and was taking all possible steps to modernise the Air Force.

Air Marshal Rane said India need not be overly concerned that Pakistan was purchasing new fighter planes with the financial assistance from the US. ''Purchasing new fighter aircrafts and upgrading existing ones was a slow process,'' he said.

UNI