The critical project for the modernisation of airfield infrastructure (MAFI) worth over Rs 2,500 crore crossed the first milestone on Wednesday with revamped IAF station Bhisiana (Bhatinda) getting commissioned. Next two to three years will see 29 more airfields of Navy and Coast Guard besides IAF getting up graded with installation of latest landing, navigation and related equipment.
Bhisiana is the pilot project of MAFI and Tata Power (Strategic Electronics Division) bagged Rs 1,220 crore contract in March 2011 to modernise 30 operationally important airfields in phase one of this endeavour. The remaining airfields of the IAF, Navy, Coast Guard and Aviation Research Centre(ARC) are included in the Phase-II of the project under the option clause of the contract.
The need for rapid modernisation of airfields was felt as IAF and Navy have seen induction of modern aviation platforms and up-gradation of their existing aircraft fleets at regular intervals in the past, officials said here on Wednesday.
Need was also felt to upgrade the navigational aids and associated airfield infrastructure commensurately. Moreover, Airport Authority of India(AAI) and civil airlines operating from IAF airfields were demanding installation of the Instrument landing System(IlS) and other navigational aids to avoid cancellation of flights during poor weather conditions.
The MAFI project includes installation and integration of CAT II IlS, CAT II Air Field lighting System, Automated Air Traffic Management System, Distance Measuring Equipments (High and low Power), Doppler VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range (DVOR), Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) and associated infrastructure.
With the installation of navigational aids of international standards, operational capability will be enhanced by facilitating air operations of military and civil aircraft even in poor visibility conditions and adverse weather.
The pilot project involved complex and extensive integration of various navigational aids and other equipment. From the experience gained while executing the pilot project and the design review, a template for the remaining airfields has now been crystallised.
The navigational aids and other equipment installed were thoroughly tested over a period of time by trials conducted by the IAF’s fighter, transport and helicopter aircraft before the Acceptance Checks were completed and the Model base formally declared operational by Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal R K Sharma.
The MAFI project would now progress in phases to meet the geographical needs of the defence forces with a focus on joint user aerodromes that are used by civil aircraft as well, officials said.