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Updated MiGs not flying high for IAF
Rajat Pandit
[ 10 Sep, 2006 0049hrs IST
TIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
NEW DELHI: If you thought only the older MiG-21 variants were a headache for IAF, think again. Even the upgraded MiG-21s, called ââ¬ËBisonsââ¬â¢, are proving a nightmare for pilots.
At any given time, only one-third of the 113 MiG-21 Bisons inducted into IAF so far are fully operational to undertake combat missions. "The rest are usually grounded for lack of spares, maintenance and overhauling," say sources.
"The serviceability of Bisons, which IAF will fly till 2020, is as low as 33%. Since the rest cannot be certified to be 100% airworthy, they are now usually not flown to avoid crashes," they add. Incidentally, three Bisons have already crashed since their induction began in 2001-2002.
IAF would "officially" like to contest the 33% figure. It claims the Bison serviceability has now improved to "around 55-60%" . But even this means almost half the Bison fleet is grounded at all times.
This has serious implications for IAF at a time when Pakistan is on course to acquire more American F-16s and JF-17 ââ¬ËThunderââ¬â¢ jets jointly developed with China, which itself is expanding its air force at a very rapid clip.
As reported first by TOI, IAF has also complained to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd about the air-unworthiness and tardy serviceability of the around 90 Jaguar deep-penetration strike fighters it has. Similar problems are being faced by the over 100 MiG-27MLs in the fleet.
To top it all, as also reported by TOI earlier, IAF is facing a steady depletion in number of fighter squadrons (each has 12 to 18 jets), which is likely to touch an all-time low of 28 next year from a high of 39.5 two decades ago.
The IAF says "various contracts" have been signed to improve "the spares situation and serviceability" of Bisons. "Supplies have already commenced. In addition, HAL has signed long-term repair agreements with various vendors," said the IAF spokesperson.
"Repair and overhaul facilities for Russian spares are also being set up at HAL. Lab facilities in all air-bases have been set up for better reliability of the systems. To improve the MTBF (mean-time between failure) of various systems, design deficiencies are being resolved," he added.
Things have come to such a pass since the indigenous ââ¬ËTejasââ¬â¢ Light Combat Aircraft, which was to replace MiG-21s, is still nowhere near becoming operational.
Rajat Pandit
[ 10 Sep, 2006 0049hrs IST
NEW DELHI: If you thought only the older MiG-21 variants were a headache for IAF, think again. Even the upgraded MiG-21s, called ââ¬ËBisonsââ¬â¢, are proving a nightmare for pilots.
At any given time, only one-third of the 113 MiG-21 Bisons inducted into IAF so far are fully operational to undertake combat missions. "The rest are usually grounded for lack of spares, maintenance and overhauling," say sources.
"The serviceability of Bisons, which IAF will fly till 2020, is as low as 33%. Since the rest cannot be certified to be 100% airworthy, they are now usually not flown to avoid crashes," they add. Incidentally, three Bisons have already crashed since their induction began in 2001-2002.
IAF would "officially" like to contest the 33% figure. It claims the Bison serviceability has now improved to "around 55-60%" . But even this means almost half the Bison fleet is grounded at all times.
This has serious implications for IAF at a time when Pakistan is on course to acquire more American F-16s and JF-17 ââ¬ËThunderââ¬â¢ jets jointly developed with China, which itself is expanding its air force at a very rapid clip.
As reported first by TOI, IAF has also complained to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd about the air-unworthiness and tardy serviceability of the around 90 Jaguar deep-penetration strike fighters it has. Similar problems are being faced by the over 100 MiG-27MLs in the fleet.
To top it all, as also reported by TOI earlier, IAF is facing a steady depletion in number of fighter squadrons (each has 12 to 18 jets), which is likely to touch an all-time low of 28 next year from a high of 39.5 two decades ago.
The IAF says "various contracts" have been signed to improve "the spares situation and serviceability" of Bisons. "Supplies have already commenced. In addition, HAL has signed long-term repair agreements with various vendors," said the IAF spokesperson.
"Repair and overhaul facilities for Russian spares are also being set up at HAL. Lab facilities in all air-bases have been set up for better reliability of the systems. To improve the MTBF (mean-time between failure) of various systems, design deficiencies are being resolved," he added.
Things have come to such a pass since the indigenous ââ¬ËTejasââ¬â¢ Light Combat Aircraft, which was to replace MiG-21s, is still nowhere near becoming operational.
