<p>IAF purchased two aerostat-radars capable of overlooking the border from an elevation of 15,000 ft from Israeli company Rafael at a cost of Rs 676 crore.<br /><br />But due to inadequate weather monitoring, one of the aerostats met with an accident and is not available for operation since May 2009. <br /><br />It would not be available for another two years, the Comptroller and Auditor General said in its report tabled in the Parliament on Thursday.<br /><br />Besides, helium gas was leaking from the balloons and fabrics used in both system had started decaying prematurely, resulting into more operational expenditure, CAG said.<br /><br />Way back in 1996, IAF worked out the national requirements of six aerostat radars (large balloon fitted with equipment) for gathering intelligence from an elevated platform. <br /><br />After the Kargil conflict, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved two which were commissioned in 2007 and 2008 along the Pakistan border. <br /><br />The first radar met with an accident in May 2009, which took place primarily due to shortage of meteorological manpower at the IAF unit looking after it. A court of Inquiry found three officers guilty, who were punished subsequently.<br /><br />Substantial damage<br /><br />However, since the damage was substantial, the government decided to go for a repair. <br /><br />But as the repair takes 18 months and costs Rs 302 crore, the government seems to be in two minds and has not concluded the commercial contract for repair till June 2011.<br /><br />“By the time the system will be made operational again, 80 per cent of its prescribed life would be over,” CAG said in the report. The fabric of both aerostat balloons decayed prematurely, significantly increasing the Helium leakage resulting into extra expenditure of approximately Rs one crore every year at each site on helium procurement.<br /><br />“The case shows improper planning and unprofessional approach on the part of IAF for optimal utilisation of a system that was procured at a huge cost. Operational preparedness has also been impacted adversely,” it added.<br /></p>
<p>IAF purchased two aerostat-radars capable of overlooking the border from an elevation of 15,000 ft from Israeli company Rafael at a cost of Rs 676 crore.<br /><br />But due to inadequate weather monitoring, one of the aerostats met with an accident and is not available for operation since May 2009. <br /><br />It would not be available for another two years, the Comptroller and Auditor General said in its report tabled in the Parliament on Thursday.<br /><br />Besides, helium gas was leaking from the balloons and fabrics used in both system had started decaying prematurely, resulting into more operational expenditure, CAG said.<br /><br />Way back in 1996, IAF worked out the national requirements of six aerostat radars (large balloon fitted with equipment) for gathering intelligence from an elevated platform. <br /><br />After the Kargil conflict, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved two which were commissioned in 2007 and 2008 along the Pakistan border. <br /><br />The first radar met with an accident in May 2009, which took place primarily due to shortage of meteorological manpower at the IAF unit looking after it. A court of Inquiry found three officers guilty, who were punished subsequently.<br /><br />Substantial damage<br /><br />However, since the damage was substantial, the government decided to go for a repair. <br /><br />But as the repair takes 18 months and costs Rs 302 crore, the government seems to be in two minds and has not concluded the commercial contract for repair till June 2011.<br /><br />“By the time the system will be made operational again, 80 per cent of its prescribed life would be over,” CAG said in the report. The fabric of both aerostat balloons decayed prematurely, significantly increasing the Helium leakage resulting into extra expenditure of approximately Rs one crore every year at each site on helium procurement.<br /><br />“The case shows improper planning and unprofessional approach on the part of IAF for optimal utilisation of a system that was procured at a huge cost. Operational preparedness has also been impacted adversely,” it added.<br /></p>
