Dehradun: The Indian Air Force(IAF) would soon acquire 126 new fighter aircraft, including 18 Sukhoi supersonic jets, said Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi in Dehra Dun on Saturday.
A contract for the purchase of the Sukhoi jets would be signed shortly with Russia, he added, speaking to reporters at the Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy.
Whether the fighter aircraft would be purchased from Russia has not been finalised so far, he said.
The Sukhoi planes would replace 18 ageing aircraft which would be sent back to Russia, he said.
He said the Air Force is currently evaluating F-16's after which they will decide whether to buy the aircraft from the US.
Regarding Thursday's MIG-29 crash in Gujarat, Tyagi said an inquiry is currently on to ascertain the cause of the accident and dismissed a suggestion that there was some technical fault in the aircraft.
"The rate of air crash has, in fact, come down rapidly in India," he said.
Referring to the sortie of President APJ Abdul Kalam in a Sukhoi supersonic jet, he said it was a proud moment for the Air Force.
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