The CAG rapped the IAF for delayed development of electronic warfare system Takshak for MIG-27 jets leading to an “unfruitful” expenditure of Rs 155.79 crore.
Noting this in its report tabled in Parliament, the CAG said due to “injudicious” decision and delay in development of the system, the objective of enhancing the operational capability of MiG-27 could not be achieved despite spending the amount. IAF informed CAG last year that “Takshak” project could not be fully exploited on MiG-27 due to delay in development of the system coupled with premature failure of airframe and aero-engine and the project had to be foreclosed.
The CAG said the India-Israel joint venture project “injudicious” as it was sanctioned in 2009 by the force despite knowing that the MiG-27s would start getting phased out by 2016. The Defence Ministry had accorded sanction for the Rs 311 crore project to be developed by 2011 “to enhance the operational capability of fighter aircraft and strengthen electronic warfare industry.”
The report said the IAF during trials found that it was not fully developed and could not meet a large number of technical specifications. The IAF also acknowledged that induction of the ‘Takshak’ system in MiG-27 fleet would take at least another three years (from 2011) and complete fleet modification would be over only by 2016 whereas the MiG-27 aircraft fleet was planned to be phased out of service from 2014 onwards. An expenditure of Rs 155.79 crore had already been incurred on the project till then (January 2013), CAG said.