India's MiG-29s are safe, says Air Force chief

Kolkata Mar 14 (PTI) Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Fali
Homi Major, Saturday assured that the MiG-29 aircraft used by
the Indian Air Force (IAF) were safe, amidst media reports
that Russia had grounded a large number of its MiG-29 fleet
because of structural defects.

"I have read the report. But you must understand that
MiG-29s are of various series. I don't know the details of
what series of aircraft the Russians are talking about. We had
carried out checks with our aircraft and we have no problem
with them," Major told newsmen here.

He said the induction of new aircraft into the Air Force
was going on "wonderfully well" as per schedule. "We are
getting everything that we had asked for. There is government
support and things are falling in place as per our plans."

Asked to comment on the crash of the indigenous Saras
aircraft near Bangalore on March six, Major said an enquiry
was on and only after its completion could it be ascertained
what went wrong. "But you must understand that this is a
development aircraft. Such things do happen."

On the situation prevailing in Pakistan, he said it would
affect India if it worsened. "But we are at a level of
preparedness which is very high and there is nothing to worry
about." PTI SBR
SAK
NNNN