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The Rediff Interview/ Squadron Leader Kamal Chaudhry

'The alarming rate of accidents in the IAF has caused serious concern'

Two decades, the death of 200 Indian Air Force pilots and the loss of 551 aircraft later, the government is yet to decide on which Advanced Jet Trainer is to be procured for the country. Defence experts are unanimous that if the AJTs had been bought on time, the loss of lives and aircraft would have been minimised, if not eliminated altogether. Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, Squadron Leader Kamal Chaudhry, in an interview with Tara Shankar Sahay, underscores the inexplicable inability of previous governments to rise to the occasion and recommend which AJT would fulfil the IAF's requirements.

Let's take up the AJT issue first. So many pilots' lives have been lost and so many aircraft destroyed, not to mention the cost in terms of rupees. Could you outline why and how this has continued for so long?

Yes, the alarming rate of accidents in the IAF, as compared to other contemporary air forces, has caused serious concern. That is why a Special Committee on Fight Safety was constituted in August 1982 under the chairmanship of the former Air Marshal La Fontaine to critically examine various operational and training aspects for eliminating any organisational weaknesses. The La Fontaine Committee made 45 recommendations which were re-arranged into 32, covering various aspects of pilot training. It analysed all accidents over a period of five years and recommended corrective measures.

And yet no AJT was procured and our pilots have been getting killed in accidents and our aircraft destroyed. Why?

Yes, it is very distressing. The accidents and the resultant loss of lives and aircraft could have been averted if the government had acted decisively.

I must emphasise that my committee has recommended to the government to identity those at the decision making level who failed, firstly, to act on the suggestions for the procurement of a locally-manufactured AJT [Hindustan Aeronautics Limited] in 1985, and second, to keep suggestions alive for the eventual acquisition of a suitable AJT.

My committee has also recommended that stern action should be initiated against those who are responsible for dereliction of duty towards the nation.

If there are technologically superior AJTs available in the world market, surely something is desperately wrong with our defence decision-making apparatus, since there has been appalling indecision so far, isn't it?

Yes, my committee has already passed strictures at the government's lack of vision in heeding the suggestions of HAL regarding the AJT. Today's pathetic situation pertaining to the acquisition of the AJT could have been avoided. My committee has emphasised that earlier, the government was concentrating and examining only the French Alpha Jet and the British Hawk AJT options.

We have already criticised the government's failure to undertake proper paper and flight evaluations of all other technologically superior options so that that our country's frugal resources are not invested in weak and unviable options. We have said the government should urgently evaluate all other options in the world market for either the manufacture or acquisition of the AJT.

It appears that for the past decade or so, the Indian authorities have concentrated on efforts to negotiate only with the French Alpha Jet and the British Hawk AJTs. Frankly, could there be the possibility of a hefty commission involved that these two technologically inferior options have been considered over other superior options?

I cannot comment on this. But we have identified why all this has happened and my committee has also demanded action against those responsible for the current state of affairs.

The locally-manufactured AJT would cost India Rs 30 billion while a foreign one would cost Rs 40-45 billion. As a former pilot which would you recommend?

( Laughs) I told you, the one which meets all the requirements and parameters of the IAF, including cost, and that which is in the best interests of our nation. It must also be ensured that the AJT selected must have operational capability for at least 20, 25 years.

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda had made some observations about the T-80 tanks. Could you elaborate?

No, I did not read his speech or statement on the matter. However, I understand that he was trying to convey that India should go in for a cheaper and better option than the T-80 tank in which a lot of money is involved.

What are your views on India signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty?

I am against India signing the CTBT as the US has been insisting, it is out of the question. The Western countries, after stockpiling nuclear weapons, are telling us what to do. The US itself has conducted more than a thousand nuclear tests. No compromises can be made on India's national security. In any case, we want to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and that is none of any other country's business.

What do you think about the threat perception from China?

Briefly, China has embarked n a massive military modernisation programme and it is strengthening its defence capabilities, including nuclear and naval forces. India cannot certainly afford to be a mute spectator, it has a lot of catching up to do. We cannot afford to keep quiet on regional developments. While we desire peaceful and friendly relations with all our neighbours, we have to be prepared for all eventualities.

When India conducted the nuclear tests last May, New Delhi's explanation was that it was mainly because of the threat perception from China. Do you agree?

Yes, I agree.

What do you think about Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's bus diplomacy with Pakistan?

I think it is a commendable effort. The whole world took note of this Indian initiative and I think there was a matching response from Pakistan. That is a good thing, we want peace with our neighbours. I think it will help in bettering relations with both Pakistan and China.

What is your view about the sacking of Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat as the naval chief?

I have no doubt that Admiral Bhagwat's case has been mishandled. He should not have been dismissed. The government should have taken cognisance of the fact that it was dealing with the chief of the naval staff and that his sacking was bound to have a demoralising effect on his subordinate officers and men. Admiral Bhagwat had made some recommendations which I understand were thrown into the wastepaper basket. If the government does not agree with them, it could have turned them down instead of sacking him.

If Admiral Bhagwat did not like a certain officer in the navy, he let the authorities know and he cannot be blamed for that. After all, you cannot impose an officer on the naval chief. Admiral Bhagwat had put in nearly 40 years of service and to sack him like that was unfortunate. The government should not have forgotten that Admiral Bhagwat had risen to the naval chief's post through subsequent promotions and only the very best can rise to the top.

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