New Delhi, December 19 – A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled in Parliament has raised serious concerns over the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) pilot training programs, citing outdated equipment, training gaps, and pilot shortages between 2016 and 2021.
The performance audit focused on the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, used for Stage-1 flying training since 2013. According to the CAG, 25% of the aircraft—16 out of 64—experienced 38 instances of engine oil leaks between 2013 and 2021. While the IAF flagged the issue to the manufacturer, the matter remains under investigation as of August 2023.
The report highlighted delays in modernizing aircraft for Stage-2 and Stage-3 training for transport and helicopter pilots. Helicopter pilot training relies on legacy platforms with outdated avionics, requiring additional conversion training for operational systems like the Mi-17 V5. Similarly, transport pilots continue training on Dornier-228 aircraft, which lack advanced cockpits.
Deficiencies in simulator training also drew scrutiny. The report noted that while Virtual Reality (VR) Simulators and Flying Training Devices (FTDs) offer procedural training, they fail to replicate the physical sensations of flight, limiting their effectiveness for operational preparedness.
The CAG report additionally flagged a growing shortage of pilots. Despite planning for an annual intake of 222 trainees between 2016 and 2021, actual recruitment fell short, increasing the deficit from 486 pilots in 2015 to 596 by 2021.
These findings underscore systemic challenges in IAF pilot training, with potential implications for operational readiness and safety. The CAG’s recommendations are expected to inform future modernization efforts within the IAF
