New Delhi: A crucial meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council will be held this Saturday during which issues of Avro replacement and procurement of additional Pilatus basic trainer aircraft from Switzerland among others are likely to be taken up.
The meeting will be chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Defence sources said Parrikar has sought a report from the IAF on utilisation of Pilatus PC-7 aircraft before going ahead with the follow-on order of 38 more.
They said the original contract for 75 aircraft had the option clause of buying 50 percent under same terms and conditions for three years. This option clause runs out in May and hence the IAF wants to exercise it.
The force has so far inducted 59 PC-7 aircraft. IAF had calculated a requirement of 181 basic trainer aircraft (BTA) out of which 90 were supposed to be bought off the shelf and 91 made in India.
However, the UPA government decided to go for a 75 aircraft contract with a 50 per cent follow-on clause.
25/02/15 PTI/ZeeNews
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The meeting will be chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Defence sources said Parrikar has sought a report from the IAF on utilisation of Pilatus PC-7 aircraft before going ahead with the follow-on order of 38 more.
They said the original contract for 75 aircraft had the option clause of buying 50 percent under same terms and conditions for three years. This option clause runs out in May and hence the IAF wants to exercise it.
The force has so far inducted 59 PC-7 aircraft. IAF had calculated a requirement of 181 basic trainer aircraft (BTA) out of which 90 were supposed to be bought off the shelf and 91 made in India.
However, the UPA government decided to go for a 75 aircraft contract with a 50 per cent follow-on clause.
25/02/15 PTI/ZeeNews
