New Delhi, May 08: Asserting there was "no direct relationship" between lack of Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs) and MiG warplane crashes, government today said in the Lok Sabha that it was on the threshold of procuring AJTs for smooth transition of trainee IAF pilots into frontline fighter squadrons equipped with high technology planes. "We are on the threshold of procuring AJTs. This means that we are taking a decision in that regard. It may take a couple of years to get the planes as they are not going to be purchased off the shelf," defence minister George Fernandes said. He was replying to a calling attention motion on frequent crashes of MiG fighter aircraft moved by Congress member Jagmeet Singh Brar, who along with three colleagues --Laxman Singh, Vilas Muttemwar and K P Singh Deo--defied the party's decision to boycott Fernandes over the Tehelka issue.
While Brar and Singh stayed on and put questions to the defence minister, Muttemwar and Singh Deo left the house soon after Fernandes read his statement. Left Parties and RJD members too had joined the congress in the walk out.
Fernandes said once the government finalises the decision on buying AJTs, orders would have to be placed. The aircraft would then have to be built and made available to the Indian Air Force, he said. "Although there is no direct relationship between lack of AJTs and aircraft accidents, government has decided to induct AJTs to ensure smooth transition of trainee pilots into Frontline Fighter Squadrons equipped with high technology aircraft," the minister said. Bureau Report