Defence

India hopes to become a truly global and modern aerospace power by accelerating and completing various procurements in the coming years, says chief of the air staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali H Major.

"The Indian air force will project aerospace power credibly within its zone of influence with precision, speed, and high intensity, against a variety of objectives by seamlessly integrating all our assets to achieve very compressed decision cycles," he said at the service's 76th anniversary celebrations in early October.

Technical evaluations of the six contenders for the medium multirole combat aircraft competition have begun, and flight trials are likely to start in early 2009, he said. Upgrades for in-service types such as the Sepecat Jaguar will also enhance the air force's strike capability, he added.

India is also about to take delivery of Ilyushin Il-76 transports modified with airborne early warning and control system equipment from Israel Aerospace Industries' Elta Systems subsidiary, and Major said these will be a force multiplier for his service.

A request for information to find replacements for India's ageing Il-76 transports is expected shortly, said Major, adding that its Dornier Do-28 light transports will be upgraded with better avionics and supplemented by indigenous Saras transports.

Negotiations on the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft programme with Russia are progressing well, he added. New Delhi could also seek additional air-to-air refuelling aircraft to supplement its Il-78s, and try to accelerate the procurement of badly needed medium, light and attack helicopters.