Question : PURCHASE OF TRAINER AIRCRAFT

(a) whether the Indian Air Force has cut the flying time of rookie pilots to one-third due to shortage of trainer aircraft;

(b) if so, whether the Indian Air Force has requested for the emergency purchase of trainer aircraft;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for delay in acquiring sufficient number of advanced jet trainers;

(d) whether the Government has selected any particular type of advanced jet trainers to meet the immediate requirement;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the time likely to be taken to acquire the trainer aircraft?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI A.K. ANTONY)

(a) Madam, consequent upon the grounding of HPT-32 aircraft due to flight safety concerns and shifting of basic flying training to Kiran Mk-I/IA aircraft, the syllabus for basic flying training has been reduced, keeping the available resources in mind. However, flying hours have been increased in other stages of flying to ensure wholesome training.

(b) & (c): A proposal is being progressed for the procurement of 75 Basic Trainer Aircraft from M/s Pilatus Aircraft Limited, Switzerland.

There has been no delay in acquiring Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs).

(d) & (e): The Hawk-132 Advanced Jet Trainer has been selected for the Indian Air Force. A total of 106 Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft are being inducted into the Indian Air Force.

(f) The delivery of the basic trainer aircraft from M/s Pilatus Aircraft Limited, Switzerland is scheduled to commence 15 months from signing of the contract.