Kolkata: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing a challenge in how to deal with its obsolete inventory at a time when it is inducting modern aircraft. It is now looking for solutions from the private sector to take care of its vintage assets.
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Maintenance Command) of the IAF, Air Marshal R.K.S. Shera, highlighted the challenge while addressing a national seminar and exhibition on ‘Indian Aviation Sector: Opportun-ities and Challenges’ organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce here on Friday.
He said, “We have a challenge in the IAF. As you are all aware, we are operating a mix of inventory. We have legacy machines which are 60 years old and we have got state-of-the-art. For example, the Avro aircraft that fly are of ’60s vintage. Today we have also got the C-130 and C-17 aircraft.”
He added, “We have set up technology centres in our base repair depots. These centres are looking at obsolescence mitigation requirements.”
