Indian Airforce plans separate UAV cadre

Chethan Kumar, Bangalore, Feb 3 2012,DHNS Fighter squadrons may be trimmed to meet need Increasing the dependence on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) like former Air Chief P.V. Naik terms, is not an “out of the box” concept for the Indian Air Force (IAF) anymore. In what would be a significant move once it comes through, the IAF is already in talks to have a separate cadre for the RPVs and is in the process of drafting a proposal to be sent to the Centre. “Just like the fighter pilots, transport pilots and so on, this will be a role-specific cadre, so that the officers are trained for a specific role from the word go,” a senior official said. The IAF, which already uses UAVs, is in the process of multiplying the forces. And DRDO’s Rustom and Lakshya-II are also expected to be inducted into the IAF. Air Marshal Dhiraj Kukreja, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Headquarters Training Command, Bangalore said: “…There are talks about sending a proposal for this. We currently discussing various options.” Speaking to Deccan Herald over phone he said: “…It would be part of existing squadrons but said that the numbers might not to the […]
Indian Airforce plans separate UAV cadre