Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed a contract with Swiss firm Pilatus for procurement of 75 Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA); Government says India is not a party to the dispute over sovereignty over areas of South China Sea
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • Reports noted that Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed a contract with Swiss firm Pilatus for procurement of 75 Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) to train its rookie pilots and the delivery of these planes is scheduled between February 2013 to August 2015, the Lok Sabha was informed on August 27. Defence Minister AK Antony told the House in a written reply, "A contract for procurement of 75 Basic Trainer Aircraft was signed with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Switzerland on May 24... The delivery of these 75 aircraft is scheduled from February 2013 to August 2015," In reply to a separate question on shortage of pilots in the IAF, he said that there is a shortfall of over 600 trained pilots in the force. "The present strength of pilots as on August 1, 2012 is 3261 against the sanctioned strength of 3294," Antony said, adding that "the available strength of pilots in IAF is sufficient to meet the current requirement".1
    In another development, Rajya Sabha was informed on August 30 that India is not a party to the dispute over sovereignty over areas of South China sea which is an issue between many countries in that region. Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed said in written reply, "Sovereignty over areas of South China Sea is disputed between many countries in the region. India is not party to the dispute." Many countries including Vietnam and China have territorial claims over the areas of South China Sea, where an Indian Navy warship was reportedly warned by an apparent Chinese aircraft to move out of the area last year. "Government has said that it supports freedom of navigation, right of passage and access to resources in accordance with accepted principles of international law and these should be respected by all," the minister said. 2

    Top