For 4 yrs, VIPs flying unsafe

While pointing out several infirmities in the acquisition process of aircraft for the Indian Air Force’s VIP squadron, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has revealed that the IAF has been ferrying the country’s leaders in aircraft that have been unsuitable for VIP flights for the past four years.Stating that the process deviated from laid down procedures and recognised norms of propriety, the CAG, in its latest report has brought out that supplies valuing 50 million dollars were contracted without the benefit of competition. Besides, the acquisition of aircraft and self-protection suites were inordinately delayed, leading to a total cost escalation of 20 million dollars.The Ministry of Defence had concluded a contract with Boeing in October 2005 for three business jets at a cost of 161 million dollars (Rs 734 crore) to replace the two existing Boeing 737 held by the IAF’s Communications Squadron. Another contract was concluded for self-protection suites for the aircraft at a cost of 45 million dollars (Rs 203 crore).The Delhi-based Communications Squadron, which operates a mix of Boeing 737, Embraer Legacy business jets and helicopters, is responsible for the air travel of the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, service chiefs and a few select people.The CAG report stated that the operational requirements pertaining to communication facilities, instrument landing system, cabin layout and interiors, put forward during the acquisition process, were incomplete and tentative.The technical evaluation of the aircraft was not comprehensive and no flight evaluation of the aircraft had been offered by the two vendors (Boeing and Airbus) in the fray. Further, several concessions were made to the selected bidder and several deviations from standard contract conditions were allowed.The CAG also revealed that the IAF’s approach towards the self-protection suite, a mandatory fitment for VIP aircraft, was uncertain and flawed. According to the CAG report, the IAF frequently changed its requirements and opted for a system that did not meet its own broad technical requirements. Finally a system that had not been evaluated by the IAF was accepted. This resulted in further problems as the system did not have provision for “in-country programming” which would now have to be done at extra cost.Despite spending Rs 937 crore, the new aircraft, which are scheduled to enter service this year, would not be used for international travel, necessitating continued lease of Air India aircraft with all its adverse consequences. Moreover, the CAG has held the procurement of the three jets to replace two aircraft as unjustified.