A severe fund crunch is slowly but *steadily impacting the operational preparedness* of the Indian Air Force (IAF), forcing it to put on hold acquisitions of helicopters, smart bombs and missiles as well as repair of runways in crucial airbases on both the western and eastern fronts. Sources on Friday said several deals, including the ones for 48 more Russian Mi-17 V5 medium-lift helicopters (Rs 6,900 crore) and 32 additional British Hawk advanced jet trainers (Rs 3,500 crore), have been *put on the backburner due to lack of funds* Similar is the case for Russian laser-guided bombs and other precision-guided munitions, said a source.
The IAF, of course, is mighty pleased with the two game-changing mega deals inked for 36 French Rafale fighter jets for Rs 59,000 crore and five Russian S-400 Triumf air defence missile squadrons for Rs 40,000 crore. The IAF had asked for Rs 77,695 crore under the capital (modernisation etc) outlay in the 2018-2019 budget, but got only Rs 35,770 crore. Under the revenue (day-to-day operating costs, salaries etc) head, it got Rs 28,821 crore instead of the Rs 35,261 crore demanded. The story is similar for the Army and Navy, which got just 60 per cent and 56 per cent of their projected requirements under the capital head. Take the over 12-lakh strong Army, for instance. The force is saddled with 68 per cent vintage weaponry, 24 per cent current and only 8 per cent state-of-the-art equipment. It had asked for Rs 44,573 crore under the capital head but got only Rs 26,816 crore.