IAF makes action plan to strengthen combat prowess

New Delhi, Jun 15 (UNI) The Indian Air Force has drawn up an action plan for the next ten years to strengthen its fleets of fighter and transport aircraft and combat helicopters.

According to IAF headquarters sources, during the next decade 450 combat aircraft and in different categories more than 225 choppers would be purchased and the fleets from AN 32 to IL 76 transport planes would be given a new look technologically.

They said in the armada of fighter jets there would be mainly three types of planes in which besides the purchase of 126 multi-role combat aircraft Sukhoi 30 and light aircraft would have a significant role. During this, MiG 21 and 23 planes would either be upgraded or phased out.

The sources added the first addition to the 126-plane fleet at a cost of Rs 43,000 crore would be made from 2012. Besides that, expediting the inclusion of Sukhoi 30 MKI there would be altogether 230 Sukhoi planes in the IAF.

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