Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan today instructed the Indian Air Force (IAF) to map out a clear route towards fleet sustenance while also taking steps towards indigenization due to a lack of spare parts for military equipment coming from Russia.

He was speaking today at the Air Headquarters’ annual Air Force Commanders’ Conference (AFCC).

Along with a few MiG-21s, the IAF’s fighter jet force includes Russian aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and the MiG-29. Additionally, it operates Russian Mi-17 helicopters and the IL-76 and AN-32 cargo aircraft.

The Ministry of Defence is pressing on finding domestic solutions because the supply of spare parts has decreased.

The operational readiness of the IAF was explained to the CDS. He also went over the details of improving integration across the three services and the advantages that would follow.