reveals that in that last 10 years, 798 Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots have resigned and 289 of these pilots were given No-objection Certificates (NOC) to fly private airlines.
New Delhi has been upgrading the military equipment and even purchasing modern combat aircraft to strengthen the IAF. The newly acquired Rafale jets are ready to be inducted in a high profile ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French defense minister Florence Parly at the air force station in Ambala where the first five aircraft have been stationed.
However, in 2016 and 2017, IAF saw the worst years when 100 and 114 pilots respectively quit the IAF. In 2015, only 37 pilots had quit before superannuation. With an average of 80 pilots quitting the IAF every year, it could be facing an acute shortage of pilots.On February 1, 2018, the government informed the Rajya Sabha that the IAF had 3,855 pilots against a sanctioned strength of 4,231. There was a shortage of 376 pilots which reflects poorly on the preparedness of the IAF.
Of the pilots that quit, more than one-third of them received the NOC to fly private airlines. As per reports, a middle rung pilot earns up to Rs 2 lakh ($2700) in salary per month and can get four times the amount flying with a private airline.Most pilots quit after 20 years of service which makes them eligible for a pension.
“The IAF way of life is very good and apart from the salary, there are several intangible benefits. But my workload is far less as a private airlines pilot and there’s nothing to complain about the remuneration. As captain, I am responsible for everything after the aircraft door closes and once it opens, my job is over,” said an IAF officer who recently quit service and took up a job in a private airline and didn’t wish to be named.
HT reported in February this year, that IAF is working on measures to prevent its pilots from leaving the service and joining private airlines that offer better salaries and perquisites. Even though the report didn’t mention any specific measure, it said that they will be made shortly, and could involve cooling-off periods and changes in pension plans.
The RTI also asked about if such changes are being introduced. “Has the Indian Air Force evolved or is working on any policy to stop their pilots from quitting and joining private airlines. If yes, what is that?” In response to the query in the RTI, IAF said that there exists no such plans or policies.
Experts have said that it is important for the IAF to retain its pilots. “A pilot gets into operational flying after training for almost 250 to 300 hours in different aircraft. That costs a lot of money. You cannot afford to let trained people go. Other global air forces are also struggling with the same issues,” said Air Marshal KK Nohwar (retd), director-general, Centre for Air Power Studies.
US demands China to come out with wherea…
18-05-2024
US urges PRC to disclose Panchen Lama's location on 29th anniversary of his abduction from Tibet. Supports Tibetan rights, demands Gedhun Choekyi Nyima's disclosure, and calls for the release of...
Read moreChina launches anti-dumping probe into E…
18-05-2024
China launched an anti-dumping probe into POM copolymers, engineering chemicals. The chemicals can partially replace metals such as copper and zinc.
Read moreTrump demands drug test for Biden ahead …
18-05-2024
President Donald Trump called for his opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, to undergo drug testing prior to their upcoming debates. Trump said, "I'm gonna demand a drug test too...
Read moreAs killings surge, Haitians struggle to …
18-05-2024
Daphne St. Cyr remembers her son, Jhon-Roselet Joseph, as a soccer-loving youth amidst gang violence in Solino. The community mourns under the shadow of Jimmy Chérizier's gang coalition. Death and...
Read moreTaiwan detects seven Chinese military ai…
18-05-2024
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported the presence of seven Chinese military aircraft and seven People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating near Taiwan. The MND stated that...
Read moreDominicans to vote in general elections …
18-05-2024
Voters in the Dominican Republic, led by President Luis Abinader, will participate in elections focusing on the crackdown on the shared border with Haiti. President Leonel Fernandez and Mayor Abel...
Read moreAnother terror attack on girls' school i…
18-05-2024
In a distressing development, the ongoing wave of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has dealt another devastating blow to girls' education. Terrorists have targeted the Sofia Noor School, a girls' school...
Read moreSunak's Conservative party trails opposi…
18-05-2024
BRITAIN-POLITICS-Britain's Conservatives trail Labour by 18 points, says Opinium poll
Read moreEruption of Indonesia's Mt Ibu forces se…
18-05-2024
A volcano on the remote Indonesian island of Halmahera erupted spectacularly, releasing a grey ash cloud into the sky. Authorities mentioned on Sunday that people from seven nearby villages were...
Read moreDominican Republic's vote is dominated b…
18-05-2024
Dominican President Luis Abinader is poised for comfortable reelection Sunday on the back of widespread support for his tough stance on migration from troubled neighbor Haiti. - United against migration...
Read more'Unhinged,' 'crooked': Donald Trump and …
18-05-2024
Donald Trump launches expletive-laced attack on Joe Biden at NRA event in Texas. Biden warns of Trump's threat to democracy in Georgia, addressing supporters at a Black-owned restaurant. He is...
Read moreThree Spanish, three Afghans killed in s…
18-05-2024
The bodies of three Spanish tourists and three Afghans shot dead while on a tour in Afghanistan were transported to the capital along with multiple wounded, the Taliban government said...
Read more