I would like to make a few points about the Air Force. Much has been said about the Technical Aid Mission that visited India. Those particular points, and the discussions, will be followed further by my hon. colleague Shri. T.T. Krishnamachari who is visiting the United States in a few weeks. Because we cannot afford to produce the types of aeroplanes or the machinery or the equipment that we need immediately. I am sure, if these efforts succeed, we should have a reasonably strong air arm to support our army, if there is an aggression.
Naturally, as the Air Force is going to expand, problems of necessary manpower, training facilities for pilots, training facilities for ground engineers and training facilities for other airmen also become very important. Steps have been taken in the last few months to start new schools for these training facilities. I am very glad to inform you that there is good response as far as the pilots are concerned. Generally in the case of the Army and also the Air Force, I must make mention of one point. There is not a sufficient response for technical personnel. I think this is a matter that should make us think. I should like to make an appeal through this hon. House that we must make all efforts in the different States and different institutions and try to see that we create a sufficient number of technically trained personnel to make our Army a very competent and a very efficient Army. In the case of officers, I must say there is certainly sufficient response to the call for joining the Army though it was rather slow in the beginning. But, I must also mention one point. There is generally a feeling that every State should have its own share in it.
I do not want to mention the States. There are some States which are making a very poor response. I think it is much better that those States consider this question. Because this class of officers, which is going to provide leadership to the Army, is a very important factor and should really be of a national character. Every State should have its own contribution to this cadre of leadership of the Army. Therefore, more energetic steps have to be taken. These energetic steps will have to be made in different ways. Because, there is a feeling that the undue importance attached to the knowledge of English language is possibly one of the reasons which comes in the way of recruitment of people. Partly it may be true. I cannot say it is not so at all. But, this question was mentioned by the Prime Minister himself in the National Defence Council and after that, this question has been taken up. Army Headquarters have issued orders to see that more and more emphasis is being given to the professional knowledge of the person concerned. For that matter, another thing could be done, and that is being done, namely to give more facilities for the junior officers themselves to get the promotion because they have got the necessary training for it, and they have got a sufficient fighting temperament for it, and possibly if they get the chance of becoming officers themselves, it would be much better for the country and the Army. And I am glad to tell you that in the present recruitment, nearly 24 per cent of the recruitment is from these junior officers, NCO’s etc.
In the form of answers to questions, one information was given to the House, but I would like to repeat it here. A chain of air-fields has been constructed in strategic places, because somebody said ‘ Are we still without the necessary airfields ? ‘ They are being constructed, and, I am sure that the expanded air force, that we have in mind will be working effectively immediately when it becomes available.
