Second runway at BIA: IAF in talks with Aviation Ministry

Second runway at BIA: IAF in talks with Aviation Ministry

Staff Reporter

The main issue is on the positioning of the runway at BIA

We are trying to resolve the issue with the Ministry of Civil Aviation: Air Chief Marshal

The newly inducted Hawk Mk-132 will facilitate quality training to budding pilots

Bangalore: The Indian Air Force, which had objected to the construction of a second runway at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA), is holding talks with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to resolve the issue, Air Chief Marshal Fali H. Major said here on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference after the ceremony organised to deliver Hawk Mk-132 aircraft at HAL in Bangalore, Air Chief Marshal Major said the issue is about the positioning of the second runway — whether it should be in the north or south of the existing runway — at the BIA. “We are trying to resolve the issue with the Ministry of Civil Aviation,” he said.
Boon for training

While referring to the induction of Hawk Mk-132 into the IAF, he said that the advanced trainer aircraft would “fill the gap” in the training of pilots.

“At present, the pilots are directly moved to frontline combat aircraft like MiG and Sukhoi series, after being trained in the intermediate jet trainer Kiran.

The Hawk Mk-132, which has advanced training facilities similar to combat aircraft, will ensure smooth transition of pilot learning process to combat aircraft thus ensuring quality training to the budding pilots,” he said.

Though there has been a slight delay in acquisition of the Hawk Mk-132 aircraft (mainly the first 18 aircraft of the 24 that are to be acquired in flyaway condition directly from the BAE systems),

Air Chief Marshal Major said the IAF has already started training courses in the Hawk at its Bidar training centre while eagerly awaiting the delivery of the remaining aircraft from HAL and the BAE systems.
Poised to grow

To a query, Air Chief Marshal said that the aerospace industry in India has an opportunity to grow as the Union Ministry of Defence has made it clear that 50 per cent of the total acquisition of 126 medium fighter jets should be sourced from within the country. “It is a golden opportunity for the aerospace industry in the country,” he said.

Answering another question, he said: “Any skirmish or a conflict across the border is always a cause for concern but the developments at present had no such impact that necessitated reaction from the IAF.”