IAF aims for Global Status: Chief Fali Major

New Delhi, Apr 9: The Indian Air Force (IAF), already the world's fourth largest, aims to acquire a global status ''as fast as'' it can, even as it boasts of a strategic reach that can take its aircraft ''anywhere'' in the world, its new Chief declared today.

Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major -- in his first interaction with mediapersons since taking over as IAF Chief on March 31 -- also foresaw greater integration of operations with the Indian Army and the Indian Navy, an increased role for the IAF in counter-insurgency operations and creation of a tri-Services Aerospace Command in which the IAF would play a ''lead role''.

And all this in an environment in which the IAF had achieved its lowest accident rate of 0.36 per cent in its 75-year history, Air Chief Major proudly declared.

Speaking about the delays in acquiring 126 multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA), he couldn't put a date when the order would be placed, adding that the induction of a Fifth Generation combat jet that is being jointly developed with Russia was ''more than a decade away''.

Admitting to gaps in the radar coverage over peninsular India, the IAF Chief said this was being plugged with new acquisitions and by integrating military and civilian systems.

He also spoke of greater cohesiveness with the Civil Aviation sector by opening up more and more IAF airfields to domestic flights and by releasing some 15-20 pilots at regular intervals to enable them begin a ''second career'' with flag carrier Air India.

Responding to a question on last month's Tamil Tiger's air strike on a military base near Sri Lankan capital Colombo, the Air Chief did not view this as a ''threat'' as he regarded the rebel group as an ''irritant rather than a threat''.

Further, he promised a ''fair, just and transparent'' administrative system in which ''merit, seniority and effort'' would play an ''important part'' in the upward progress of the men and women -- or Air Warriors, as he put it -- serving in the IAF.

''We are already a regional Air force to reckon with... My aim is to acquire a global status as fast as we can,'' said a confident ACM Major as he fielded questions with alacrity from a large media contingent.

''A credible, more meaner and more potent Air Force shall be our endeavour,'' he added.

At the same time, the transformation from a low-end to a high-end technology force ''would take time'' said the Air Chief even as he maintained that ''force structuring and equipment profiling and what we would need to do to take the IAF far beyond where it now is would be my aim''.

''I have been handed a fine Air Force and I aim to take it further... In the next couple of years, I envisage an Air Force that is fully integrated into all facets of national growth....'' Speaking about the strategic reach of the IAF, he pointed out that the induction of the IL-78 midair refuelling aircraft had given its fighter aircraft the capability to ''fly anywhere around the globe''.

On the question of inter-operability, ACM Major said: ''I will ensure that there is absolute synergy with the other two arms (of the Defence Forces) as also with the other agencies dealing with national security.'' In this context, he pointed out that he would ''vigorously pursue'' the move to create an Aerospace Command that his predecessor Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi had mooted three years ago.

''There is urgent need for such a command, which will be a tri-Services entity with the Air Force playing a lead role... As to its form and shape and when it will come about is an issue that is being debated... It will definitely be a reality sooner rather than later,' the Air Chief maintained.

On the increased IAF role in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the northeast and possibly in Maoist-dominated areas, the Air Chief said: ''We have the capability to use air power in every spectrum of conflict... The use of this depends on the Government.'' Here, the planned acquisition of a Squadron (six aircraft) of Hercules C-130J heavy transports and a similar number of Mi-17 1V medium-lift helicopters would add tremendous punch to the IAF's current assets that can be deployed against rebel groups, ACM Major pointed out.

Answering a question on the IAF's safety record, he attributed the lowest ever accident rate to ''one hell of a lot of effort'' by the people involved.

''I will blow my trumpet to say that the people involved (the Directorate General of Air Safety at the Air Headquarters) did a magnificent job, given the varied and vintage inventory of the IAF fleet....''

UNI