Article Posted on : - Oct 16, 2010

A file photo of Indian Air Force chief P. V. Naik.

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian Air Force on Friday said that its operational capabilities will remain unaffected in case government did not enter into certain military pacts with the US.

"Government had asked us about our opinion on these agreements and we told them that this will not make any substantial difference to our operational capabilities,"Air Chief Marshal PV Naik said at a CII event here.

His remarks come at a time when reports suggest that in absence of the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), the US would be removing some of the key equipment on board the military systems being supplied to India by it.

India is buying a number of weapon systems from the US including the C-130 J Hercules aircraft, C-17 heavy-lift aircraft and the ultra-light howitzers through the foreign military sales route.

The US has been pressing India to sign these agreements for developing closer defence ties.

The CISMOA entails the laying down of protocols for interoperability and assuring the security of communication between the armed forces of the two countries.

Similarly, the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) would allow the armed forces of the two countries to procure fuel and supplies from each other's facilities.

Meanwhile, answering another query, Naik said the air force was getting simulators for all aircraft to be procured by it in future as they help in reducing the training cost.