IAF training hiccups

THE highlight of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) 92nd Raising Day celebrations in October this year was a typically spectacular air show, whose theme was ‘Bhartiya Vayu Sena — Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar (potent, powerful and self-reliant)’. Those three words were supposed to reflect the IAF’s “unwavering dedication to safeguarding the nation’s airspace”. The ground reality, however, is not all that rosy. In a report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has flagged deficiencies in the training of IAF pilots. Under intense scrutiny is the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II aircraft, which is being used to impart Stage-1 flying training since 2013. The performance audit has noted that 25 per cent of these aircraft reported 38 snags due to engine oil leaks between 2013 and 2021. No less worrying are the delays in the IAF’s aircraft modernisation plans that have affected stages 2 and 3 of pilot training for transport and helicopter streams.

Outdated equipment is another area of concern. The world’s fourth-largest air force cannot afford to compromise on the upgrade of training simulators and aircraft. Trainee pilots need state-of-the-art technology to hone their skills. Issues such as engine oil leaks can dampen the spirits of aspirants who want to soar high and protect India’s skies. Lowering the bar can prove to be a recipe for disaster.

There are problems not only in terms of quality but also quantity. The shortage of pilots has risen from 486 to 596 in about six years, as the recruitment has fallen short of the targeted intake. The CAG has done its job. Now it is up to the IAF and the government to take corrective action on priority. This vital pillar of India’s defence edifice must not be allowed to lose its much-touted potency and power.