IAF-Army spat over attack copters to be resolved: Antony

Amid a turf  battle between the Army and the IAF for controlling attack helicopters, Defence  Minister A.K. Antony Tuesday sought to downplay it saying it was a "family  problem" and the government was in the final stages of finding an amicable  solution.

"There is no tussle and there is no  war. These are all family problems and we will find a solution," he told  reporters on the sidelines of the Prime Minister's Territorial Army Day Parade.

"We are in the final stages of finding an solution amicably. Don't go beyond that," he said.

He was responding to a question on whether the defence ministry has rejected the army's demand for its own fleet of attack and medium-lift helicopters, which has become an issue between the two services.

Last week, the IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne said the force had rejected the army's demand for its own attack and  medium-lift helicopters and argued that the country can't afford to have these  "little air forces" growing up to do their "own things".

The army contendd that since these helicopters are chiefly used for its operations,  they should be under it's control.

The army chief, Gen. Bikram Singh, recently said that the defence ministry has a very "sympathetic view" about its demand.  It is still under the active consideration of the ministry and it is not correct  for anyone to say that the ministry has shelved the army's proposal in this  regard, he said.