SOURCE: AFI
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The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has recently tabled a report in Parliament highlighting significant concerns with the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II aircraft. These aircraft, which have been pivotal in providing ‘Stage-1’ flying training to IAF pilots since May 2013, are facing critical operational issues, notably engine oil leaks.
The CAG’s audit, which spanned from 2016 to 2021, revealed that out of the 64 Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II aircraft in service, 16 aircraft (25 percent) experienced 38 instances of engine oil leaks during this period. This equipment malfunction poses a notable challenge to the safety and efficiency of pilot training programs.
According to the report, the Indian Air Force has engaged with the manufacturer, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., based in Switzerland, concerning these issues. As of August 2023, the situation was still under investigation, with no clear resolution announced. This ongoing problem underlines the urgency for thorough maintenance checks and potentially, the reconsideration of procurement and maintenance strategies for trainer aircraft.
The Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II was introduced to bridge a gap in basic training capabilities after the grounding of the HPT-32 aircraft due to safety concerns. However, the current findings related to oil leaks could potentially disrupt the training schedule and raise questions about the long-term reliability of these imported trainers.
This situation underscores the broader challenges faced by the IAF in maintaining a modern and efficient training fleet. The reliance on foreign suppliers for maintenance and parts has been a point of contention, with debates often circling around the balance between indigenous development and purchasing off-the-shelf solutions. The CAG’s findings might propel discussions towards enhancing local manufacturing capabilities or at least ensuring more robust agreements for technology transfer and maintenance support from foreign vendors.
This report comes at a time when India is moving towards increasing its self-reliance in defense manufacturing, particularly with projects like the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) which aims to eventually replace such foreign-acquired trainers. The issues with the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II could serve as a catalyst for accelerating these indigenous efforts, ensuring that future aircraft acquisitions or developments cater more effectively to the unique operational needs of the IAF.