The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P.V Naik has said that the country will be acquiring 200 to 250 Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft in a few years time. He said that these ultra modern aircraft will have all round situation-awareness with advanced avionics and stealth capability. The Air Chief said that 50 per cent of its systems and equipment are obsolete and steps are being taken to bring down the obsolescence levels in the next four to five years. He said that it would come down to 20 per cent by 2014-15. He, however,made it clear that even with 50 per cent obsolete equipment, the IAF was fully capable of defending the country from any threat.Mr Naik was addressing the annual press conference on the Air Force Day to be held on October 8. In reply to a query, he said that India is watching all its neighbours with caution. He said, the Air Force is fully prepared to meet any threat from any corner any time. On the issue of pilots, Air Officer Personnel (AOP) Air Marshal K J Mathews said IAF was short of around 600 pilots and over 5,000 personnel below officer rank.He said, IAF will also open its fighter pilots stream for short service commission officers and in the long run aims to have around 30 per cent of its pilots from this stream only.Air Marshal Mathews said, with the IAF going in for major hardware purchases in the near future, the service would need to recruit additional 38,000 airmen by the year 2022.