March 21, 2002

/LOK SABHA/

"33"

PROCUREMENT OF SPARES

    The Government is able to procure spares and other replacements of MIG 21s. A Contract for upgrading MIG-21 Bis aircraft was signed with Russia on March 1, 1996. Two aircrafts have already been upgraded and are flying in India. The upgrade programme has been taken up by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. and is likely to be completed by the end of Financial year 2004-2005.

    This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Ram Mohan Gadde in Lok Sabha today.