Defence Ministry signs MoU with TATA Power to modernize 37 airfields

On May 8, 2020, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with the TATA POWER SED to modernize infrastructure of 37 airfields of Indian Air Force. The cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 1,200 crore.

The Plan

• Under Phase-1 of the Modernization of Airfield Infrastructure, the airfields of the Indian Air Force were upgraded. 
• The contract has been signed under phase-2 of the programme. 
• Under Phase-2, the navigational aids and infrastructure are to be upgraded.
• The second phase also includes installation and commissioning of modern airfield equipment such as Cat-II Instrument Landing System and Air Field Lightning System.
• The modern equipment are to be directly connected to Air Traffic Control. 
• This will provide excellent control of airfield system.

Modernization of Airfield Infrastructure

• Under the project, the first modern airfield system was set up at Bhatinda. 
• The project was worth Rs 2,500 crores. 
• Under Phase I, around 30 airfields were modernized. It was signed in 2011 at a total cost of Rs 1,219 crores.
• The phase I was also signed with the TATA Group. 
• Under phase I, distance measuring equipment, Automated air traffic management system, omni-directional radio range and technical air navigation were implemented.