The Indian Air Force (IAF) is in the grip of a manpower crisis in the wake of retirement of a considerable number of IAF personnel despite their ability to continue service, Air Marshall S K Bhan said on Friday.

“IAF is the world’s fourth largest Air Force with a strength of nearly two lakh personnel. Certain terms and conditions in the IAF policies force its men to retire, but the latest trend of opting for early retirement has been increasing due to lucrative offers from corporate sectors,” Air Marshall Bhan told newspersons here at the sidelines of a placement fair organised by the IAF at its Barrackpore base.

Despite being hit badly following an exodus of highly skilled personnel, the IAF does not block the aspirations of one who is keen to quit the Force for better pastures, Air Marshall Bhan conceded.

To a question on whether the Pay Commission recommendations could be held responsible for the trend, he felt that if the Commission provided attractive packages to the Air Force personnel, talents would be attracted towards the noble profession of safeguarding the country.

This is for the first time that the IAF has organised this two-day second placement fair outside New Delhi. The fair began at the Air base with 23 corporate and private sector companies, while nearly 2,000 aspirants are expected to participate in the parade.

However, none of the private airways showed interest in recruiting IAF ex-servicemen. “These airways are generally interested only in getting expert pilots from the IAF,” Air Marshal Bhan observed, adding that Air India and Pawan Hans earlier had agreement with the IAF to get pilots on deputation.