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New Delhi, April 30: : The government has signed a contract with American aircraft company Boeing for purchase of three of its Business Jets along with Self Protection Suite, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
These Boeing jets would be purchased at an estimated cost of Rs 961 crores, Defence Minister A K Antony said in a written reply.
The Boeing aircrafts are technically equipped not only to undertake short and medium haul domestic flights but also international flights up to a range of approximately 3000 nautical miles.
Travel to international destinations beyond that range and operational requirements may necessitate refuelling halts or use of Air India aircraft.
Crashes
A total number of 61 Indian Air Force aircrafts have crashed during the last five years, the minister said in reply to another question.
The main reasons behind these crashes were human errors and technical defects. A total number of 30 pilots have lost their lives in the air crashes during the same period.
Shortage
There are vacancies for pilots in the IAF. However, the operational manning requirements of the IAF are being met, he said.
Earlier, only women were eligible for short service commission (SSC) in the flying branch of the IAF till 2007. The IAF has revised the SSC to make both men and women eligible for the scheme from January 2008.
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