Seventy five per cent of the Air Force will be highly modernised by 2022. Addressing the media in New Delhi today, the Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne said that by the end of the 13th plan, about one lakh, fifty thousand crore rupees will be spent on the modernisation plan. He said that acquisition process of 126 Medium Multiple Role Aircraft, MMRA, is well on track and by the end of this fiscal, it will be finalised.

On Sukhoi 30 upgrade and acquisition, he said that 270 aircraft are to be acquired for 13 to 14 squadrons to be raised. Air Chief informed that by December 10th, the squadron will be raised in Punjab which will be operational by the middle of next year. He said that the aircraft is also being upgraded as per the requirement of the Force.

On assistance in Naxal combat, Air Marshal Browne said, with the acquisition of MI17 B5 helicopters, the air force will have day and night capability for surveillance.