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VVIPs to get swank new executive jets : The Pioneer
The Government will soon acquire a new set of executive jets replacing the rickety Avros.
The Government will soon acquire a new set of executive jets replacing the rickety Avros.
Perhaps spurred by the Madhavrao Scindia crash, the Government has decided to get rid of the 30-year-old Avro fleet, and other such machines used by security forces and VVIPs. The MHA will now thus have a more advanced air-fleet.
Interestingly, proposals to this effect had been made way back during the tenure of Union Home Minister S B Chavan. However, Chavan and his deputy in the Ministry, Rajesh Pilot, had certain differences over the project and it had been hanging fire since then. The NDA Government had almost cleared the files when the tehelka controversy broke, which resulted in a further delay, a top source said. The files were finally cleared recently.
At present, the air-wing has two choppers and two small Beechcraft B-200s.
Perhaps spurred by the Madhavrao Scindia crash, the Government has decided to get rid of the 30-year-old Avro fleet, and other such machines used by security forces and VVIPs. The MHA will now thus have a more advanced air-fleet.
Interestingly, proposals to this effect had been made way back during the tenure of Union Home Minister S B Chavan. However, Chavan and his deputy in the Ministry, Rajesh Pilot, had certain differences over the project and it had been hanging fire since then. The NDA Government had almost cleared the files when the tehelka controversy broke, which resulted in a further delay, a top source said. The files were finally cleared recently.
At present, the air-wing has two choppers and two small Beechcraft B-200s.
While the Avros are used to ferry essential commodities and troops, especially to the North-East, choppers are being used in Kashmir and Gujarat for routine patrolling. Sources said that after the induction of five MI-7 helicopters, the patrolling and surveillance on border areas will get a boost.
In the North-East, where deployment of central para-military forces is on the increase, the Home Ministry needs a modern fleet to man the porous borders.