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Full Sukhoi squadron in Tezpur
Shillong: A full squadron of Sukhoi-30 warplanes have been deployed at Assam's Tezpur air base, while another squadron is expected to be brought to Upper Assam base of Chabua by the end of the year.
The full complement of Sukhoi fighter jets arrived at Tezpur this June and the squadron is operational, Defence sources said.
The air base at Chabua is being upgraded to house the warplanes which will subsequently replace the ageing MIGs. The sources said the runway, taxi track, hanger and other airfield infrastructure at Chabua air base is being upgraded.
Already the 'vintage' MIG-23 and MIG-25 planes have been phased out.
"Once adequate number of Sukhois and other modern aircraft come in, MIG-21s would also eventually phased out," sources said.
IAF has been expressing concern over the maintenance of the older generation aircraft like MIG-21s in the force which are operating since early 60s. There have been a number of incidents of MIG-21 crashes in the last couple of years.
Besides the Sukhois, the sources said once the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal is through, Air Force would deploy some of the squadrons in the eastern sector.
Currently, trials are being conducted with aircraft of six manufacturers for the 126 aircraft deal, officials said.
Shillong: A full squadron of Sukhoi-30 warplanes have been deployed at Assam's Tezpur air base, while another squadron is expected to be brought to Upper Assam base of Chabua by the end of the year.
The full complement of Sukhoi fighter jets arrived at Tezpur this June and the squadron is operational, Defence sources said.
The air base at Chabua is being upgraded to house the warplanes which will subsequently replace the ageing MIGs. The sources said the runway, taxi track, hanger and other airfield infrastructure at Chabua air base is being upgraded.
Already the 'vintage' MIG-23 and MIG-25 planes have been phased out.
"Once adequate number of Sukhois and other modern aircraft come in, MIG-21s would also eventually phased out," sources said.
IAF has been expressing concern over the maintenance of the older generation aircraft like MIG-21s in the force which are operating since early 60s. There have been a number of incidents of MIG-21 crashes in the last couple of years.
Besides the Sukhois, the sources said once the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal is through, Air Force would deploy some of the squadrons in the eastern sector.
Currently, trials are being conducted with aircraft of six manufacturers for the 126 aircraft deal, officials said.
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