Delay in projects major concern: Air Force chief

Indian Air Force chief Arup Raha Saturday expressed concern over delays in several projects which are being indigenously developed but expressed hope that the Narendra Modi government may expedite the processes.

"Design and development are taking longer than they should be. There is a constant effort to ensure projects are not delayed, yet it happens, whether it is LCA (Light Combat Aircraft), FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) or MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft)," said Air Chief Marshal Raha at an interaction with the media ahead of IAF's 82nd anniversary.

"We have lost time lines. Time have been over run more than once, it is definitely a concern," he said.

The IAF chief said it is government's responsibility to ensure the processes are completed in time.

"It is the responsibility of the government, the nation... It is not my air force," he said, adding that he had high hopes with the new government in office.

"This government means business. I hope the processes will be expedited under the new government," he said.

Air Chief Raha said that Defence Minister Arun Jaitley regularly holds meetings to look into these issues, and all the service chiefs also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi once a month to discuss important matters.

"They are reviewing every project. Accountability is being fixed. There is a great urgency," he said.