30 IAF Airfields Modernised, 37 More In Progress: Govt

The government on Friday (9 December) informed the Parliament that 30 Indian Air Force (IAF) airfields have been modernised and the modernisation of 37 more airfields is "under progress".

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said that the government has undertaken modernisation of the defence airfield infrastructure of the country in two phases.

"Modernisation of airfield infrastructure is aimed at enhancing the capability in terms of facilitating operation in poor weather conditions including night operations, enhanced enroute navigation infrastructure and enhanced traffic handling capabilities," he added.

"Ministry of Defence has signed two contracts for Modernisation of Air Field Infrastructure (MAFI)," he said.

"MAFI Phase-I was signed on 16 March 2011 for modernization of 30 Indian Air Force Airfields which has been completed," Bhatt said.

"MAFI Phase-II was signed on 8 May 2020 for modernisation of another 37 airfields, which is under progress," he added.

The minister further informed that the budgetary allocation made for modernising airfields under Phase-I was Rs 1,215.35 crore and Phase-II is Rs 1,187.17 crore.