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"We are ready to induct more drones in
view of their capability to perform specific tasks
on borders. There is a team in Delhi which is
studying our present and future requirements,"
IAF training command chief Air Marshal Dhiraj
Kukreja told reporters here Feb 3.
Noting that it was misnomer to call drones UAVs,
as they are piloted remotely, Kukreja said there
was always a man behind the (flying) machine whether
from inside cockpit or outside to operate it.
"As a remotely piloted vehicle, drones are
flown at borders for collecting information on
adversary and relayed for further action. Though
some pilots are being trained to operate UAVs,
we can have more of them if the government sanctions
additional funds, as there is a cost factor to
it," Air Marshal Kukreja said at a briefing
on the various activities of the training command
in the city.
Observing that the IAF does value human life
as much, the Air Marshal said that in a combat,
the man behind the machine should be able to come
back even if the machine (aircraft) does not.
The IAF flies the Israeli-made Searcher II and
Heron for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes.
About 100 Searchers are in operation on Indian
borders in western, northern and eastern regions.
The Air Force also operates Lakshya as a towed
aerial sub-target for live fire training.
Sources told India
Strategic that IAF is also
working on acquiring Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles
(UCAVs) or armed drones over the next few years.
"Acquisition of the latest combat aircraft
and warfare systems, including drones and missiles
is a continuous process. Though each weapon or
system serves a specific task, we cannot overlook
the man behind the machine" and the bst possible
training has to be imparted, Air Marshal Kukreja
added.
(IANS)
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