Not enough planes in the Air Force

NEW DELHI: At least 450 Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots are performing ground duties as there are not enough planes, a BBC report said on Tuesday even as an IAF officer pointed out its logic could be flawed.

"Classified documents available with the BBC show that out of the total cadre strength of nearly 2,500 pilots, at least 450 pilots are doing daily administrative and ground jobs which should be done by other staff," a BBC statement said.

According to BBC, the IAF currently has 790 serviceable aircraft comprising 340 fighters and 450 transports and helicopters.

The IAF was expected to issue an official statement later in the day. BBC said it had documents to show that the serviceability of the entire IAF fleet is not more than 50 percent - and by year 2010 the transport fleet would be reduced by nearly 40 percent.