Government is in favour of aircraft modernization, says Air Chief P.V. Naik

PUNE - The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P. V. Naik said here today that the steps were being taken to modernise the Indian Air Force.

Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of the Passing Out-Parade of the 119th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune, Air Chief Marshal Naik said the Government is keen to update the aircraft as well as helicopters.

“Our government is all in favour of modernization. There is no dearth of money. The procedure every year is being streamlined more and more. As we find some fault, we go back and we revise the procedure,” said Naik.

The Air Chief Marshal said the recent helicopter crash in Arunachal was a “major loss”.
“It’s a very major loss. In every accident … there is a loss of life and in transport aircraft like helicopters we lose more lives. He added that at first sight, the helicopter crash was caused by “a technical fault but we don’t know.”

On November 19, 12 personnel including eight IAF officials on board a Mi-17 helicopter were killed when it crashed at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. By Shivaji Salunke (ANI)