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IAF's fighter airfields reeling under severe shortcomings, operation readiness hit

New Delhi: In a scathing report, national auditor CAG on Tuesday highlighted a range of operational shortcomings in frontline airfields of the Indian Air Force, including lack of aircraft refuellers, radars and ammunition handling equipment. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), pointing out gaping holes in the airfields, said inadequate equipment and deficient infrastructure are impacting readiness of the force to deal with any possible security challenge.

In its report tabled in parliament, the CAG said though the government in 2011 decided to improve facilities at the airfields under the Modernisation of Air Field Infrastructure (MAFI), nothing much has changed on the ground in most of them.

"Operational readiness of the airfields is vital for air operations, especially during conflict. Audit found inadequacies in the support facilities at IAF airfields adversely affecting their readiness," it said.

"These included facilities like restoration of runway after bombing, modernisation of communication systems, safe landing and take-off of aircraft, surveillance of aircraft while in air, refuelling of aircraft and handling of armaments to be loaded on the aircraft," the auditor said. The report said about 86 per cent of the fighter airfields were to be provided latest runway rehabilitation system (RRS) but the facility was made available only in half of the airfields. The RRS is essential for restoration of the runways in the quickest possible time in the wake of bomb attacks.

"Audit found various shortcomings in infrastructure, equipment and support facilities required for operational readiness at various airfields, as gainst the prescribed quantities and performance level at most airfields," the CAG said. The CAG also talked about lack of adequate surveillance radars, equipment to handle weapons and ammunition and shortage of aircraft support vehicles and refuellers in the airfields.

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