The Indian Air Force (IAF), in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed a NaviC-based real time aircraft tracking system (NATS) which is capable to identify or locate an flying aircraft in just 30 seconds, said Air Marshal Vibhas Pande, AVSM VSM and Air Officer Commanding in Chief (AOC-in-C) of Headquarters Maintenance Command, Nagpur here on Thursday. Talking to mediapersons, Air Marshal Pande, said the aircraft tracking system is first of its kind which is now on its final stage. One Eastern Sector trial is pending and after the trial the modification will be implemented in NATS. He also said that NATS is completely indigenous and developed under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ without including any foreign original equipment manufacture (OEM).

 

“One of the Base Repair Depots (BRD) under the aegis of Air Force’s Maintenance Command has indigenously developed the NATS, wherein the Indian Air Force can get the update on the location of a flying aircraft every 30 seconds,” he said. Emphasising on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, Air Marshal Pande said, “Indian is now going to achieve the tag of indigenisation in transport aircrafts. Indian government signed a deal to purchase 56 number of C-295 transport aircraft from France in which 16 will fly directly from France and remaining 40 will be manufactured in Vadodara in Gujarat by TATA Group.

 

However, we will get the first four C-295 aircrafts from France in the month of September.” In the row of indigenisation, Air Marshal Pande further added, “IAF has raised a demand of 83 fully indigenous LCA Tejas fighters to the government. These aircrafts will help to improve our shortage of squadrons.” “These 83 fighters will also help to retire ageing Russian aircrafts which we are using to maintain the existing strength of our squadrons. Phasing out all ageing Russian aircrafts in a single day is not possible. It take time and IAF had already talked with Ministry of Defence to start the process and these 83 LCA Tejas contract is also a part of it,” he added.