IAF seeks Ministry of Defence nod to share mishap data

Saddled with a large fleet of ageing Russian-origin aircraft including MiGs and Sukhois, the IAF has sought Defence Ministry approval to share air mishap data with friendly foreign air forces that operate a similar inventory.

IAF director general (flight safety) air marshal TS Randhawa told reporters here today that the IAF wanted to share experiences with other countries so as to enable improved flight safety.

"We have asked the Defence Ministry to allow us to share air mishap reports and data with friendly air forces that operate the same inventory of aircraft as IAF. This, we think, will help in bettering safety standards of the IAF," Randhawa said.

Earlier in the day, IAF chief air chief marshal PV Naik, stressing the importance of flight safety, told delegates from nearly 20 countries of the International Flight Safety Conference-2009 (IFSCON-09) that Air Force missions could not be completed unless the flight operations were safe.

"In the past, the ‘Mission' was considered paramount in military aviation and all efforts were focussed towards achievement of the mission. But remember, that a mission cannot be accomplished unless the force is able to reach, do the required job and come back," Naik said, inaugurating the conference, the third biennial event.