Article Posted on : - Dec 30, 2011

Indian Air Force (IAF) cadets perform at their passing out parade at the IAF academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad on Thursday. A PTI Photo.

HYDERABAD (PTI): Indian Army chief General V K Singh has exhorted the newly commissioned officers to be conversant with latest technologies.

"Aerospace power has revolutionised all forms of warfare and itself undergone tremendous changes. Today, technology is changing every day and I draw you to understand technology and imbibe what is coming so that you are never left out," he said addressing the newly commissioned officers at the Combined Graduation Parade held at Air Force Academy here on Thursday.

Highlighting the stellar role played by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in its various operations, he hoped that the young officers would live to up to the high standards of the force.

"Indian Air Force has always delivered goods and came out with flying colours wherever it has operated -- be it in operations, be it in humanitarian relief operations, or disaster management," he said.

Singh reviewed the parade of the flight cadets of all the branches of the IAF who successfully completed their basic and professional training.

He awarded the President's commission to the flight cadets on behalf of the President.

A total of 175 flight cadets, including 30 women, passed out of the Air Force Academy on Thursday.

On the occasion, the Air Warrior Drill Team thrilled the audience by their synchronised drill movements. A breathtaking dare devil display by Akashganga paratroopers received thunderous applause.

Later, speaking to reporters the Air Officer Commanding- in-Chief Training Command D Kukreja said that the air force offers exciting career opportunities to the youth.

"It is an honourable profession. I am not saying those in civil stream are not serving the country. But, we take pride in our uniform. It is not an ordinary job," he said.

The Air Force Academy mainly takes two types of cadets-- one from the National Defence Academy (NDA) and graduates who are directly selected through an entrance test, he said adding a third type of entry into the Academy is for the service personnel.

Replying to a query, Kukreja said the ageing Kiran aircraft, which are used in the Academy, would be gradually phased out.

"Kirans have been in service since 1974. It is an old aircraft. There are three versions. Mark I, Mark IA, Mark II.

Mark II is not used here. The Kiran Mark I and Mark IA are here and in Air Force Station Hakimpet (Hyderabad). We were short of engines. We are getting new engines. New engines in the sense, we are overhauling the engines. So, they will have a new life given to them," he said.

Noting that there was a shortage of some critical spare parts of Kirans, he said a contract has been signed with an agency for overhauling the engines and giving it back.

The Pilatus aircraft, if found good enough, would be used, he said.

Commandant of the Academy P R Sharma said that there is a plan to increase the capacity of the Academy from 480 cadets to 750.