India's MiG-29s are safe, says Air Force chief

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Fali Homi Major, assured that the MiG-29 aircraft used by the IAF were safe, amidst media reports that Russia had grounded a large number of its MiG-29 fleet because of structural defects. "I have read the report. But you must understand that MiG-29s are of various series. I don't know the details of what series of aircraft the Russians are talking about. We had carried out checks with our aircraft and we have no problem with them," Major told newsmen here. He said the induction of new aircraft into the Air Force was going on "wonderfully well" as per schedule. "We are getting everything that we had asked for. There is government support and things are falling in place as per our plans." Asked to comment on the crash of the indigenous Saras aircraft near Bangalore on March six, Major said an enquiry was on and only after its completion could it be ascertained what went wrong. "But you must understand that this is a development aircraft. Such things do happen."

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