As part of its efforts to bring its airfields to world-class standards, Indian Air Force (IAF) is lining up modernisation plans for 39 airfields across the country at the cost of $ 10 billion. According to sources, request for proposal was released last year and was sent to eight companies including : Tata, Bharat Electronics Limited, Mahindra & Mahindra , US based Boeing Company, Siemens, Thales of France, Raytheon from US and the Italian major Finmeccanica .
The IAF had floated a global tender to modernise 39 airfields to a standard that would take every type of aircraft. ?The ultimate aim is that all the bases can handle every single type of aircraft,? the air chief Homi Major told FE. Adding, The IAF had also installed surveillance devices to make air bases more secure in the wake of terrorist incidents and the creeping urbanisation around their peripheries. ?Prime minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to the north-east recently, announced development works, including better roads, advanced landing grounds, etc. In the IAF, we have brought forward some programmes to beef up the infrastructure in the north-east,? explained senior IAF officers.
The equipment for modernisation will include TACAN, CAP 2 ILS, Communication systems (for NCW), air field approach aid systems, DME (Digital Measuring Systems), VOR ( VHF Omni Range ), R-Nav (Range Navigation aids ), modern Metorological facilities.
With the pilot project to be based at the Hindon air base, most of these 39 airfields that are slated to be upgraded would be opened for commercial airliners too, said officials.