Question: Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether Government is aware that strength of fighter planes with Indian Air Force is lesser than the requirement of the country;

(b) whether it is a fact that Parliamentary Committee has also expressed the urgent requirement of 42 squadron of fighter planes for the Air Force; and

(c) if so, the steps Government is taking for early supply of 96 fighter planes in view of security related threats from China and Pakistan?

Answer: Minister of Defence (Shri A.K. Antony)

(a) & (b): The Standing Committee on Defence in its Fifteenth Report on Demands for Grants (2012-13) of the Ministry of Defence has made certain observations regarding requirement of fighter planes for the Indian Air Force.

(c) Procurement of aircraft, including fighter planes, is an ongoing process and steps are taken to meet the operational requirements of the defence forces keeping in view the evolving security challenges.

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