Kishore Kumar Khera replies: A contract for procurement of 62 C295 aircraft is under consideration for replacement of 56 HS748 Avro for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the balance six aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard. Of these, 16 aircraft are to be built by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and the balance aircraft will be manufactured in India. To facilitate aircraft manufacturing in India, certain Transfer of technology (ToT) is inevitable.

Kishore Kumar Khera replies: The rate at which the character of war is transforming and technology evolving, manned combat aircraft, as we know them, may lose their relevance. Much of the kinetic force application in future may be based on unmanned systems and high speed long range weapons launched from arsenal aircraft. The world combat aircraft inventory has already decreased by over 57 per cent in the last three decades and the same trend is expected to continue.

Kishore Kumar Khera replies: The nature and type of combat force depends on the national security imperatives. In our context, Indian aerospace power needs to ensure the requisite capability to protect our national interests. As the operational environment in our region changes with the induction of new technology, Indian aerospace power needs to keep pace to retain relevance. Therefore, induction of the next generation combat capability is essential in the coming decade.

Kishore Kumar Khera replies: Development of a complex system like a combat aircraft is a time and resource-intensive process. The first stage of the development process is defining the operational requirements that the combat aircraft must meet. These are formalised as Qualitative Requirements (QRs). The entire conceptualisation, design, development, testing and production of the aircraft is based on these qualitative requirements.

Kishore Kumar Khera replies:: The Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) under Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD) is the regulatory authority for Quality Assurance (QA) and final acceptance of military aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aero engines, airborne systems, avionics, armaments, consumables, allied ground systems and missiles during design & development, production, repair, modification and overhaul at various defence public sector undert

Kishore Kumar Khera replies: Operation Swift Retort does not indicate any doctrinal assertion. It was a plan to undertake a limited offensive operation at shallow depth using long-range guided munitions to minimise exposure of mother aircraft from any possible reaction. To ensure the safety of weapon delivering aircraft, a number of support aircraft undertake simultaneous operations with specific missions.