“Several inputs and leads” regarding floating objects have been picked up but there is no concrete evidence so far with respect to the missing AN-32 aircraft of the IAF, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Making a suo motu statement on the disappearance of the plane on 22 July, he said search efforts are focused on the surface as well as underwater to look for survivors and debris.
Parrikar said the search for the missing plane is being supplemented by the use of indigenous satellites such as CARTOSAT 2A and 2B which have the ability to cover areas of the swath of 27x27 km and have a resolution of 0.8 metres.
The Minister also said all next of kin of the crew and passengers on board are receiving regular updates on search operations from nominated officials.
Based on inputs from all sources, areas of three oil slicks, five transmission intercepts and 22 floating objects have been thoroughly investigated by ships and aircraft, without any concrete evidence emerging with respect to the missing IAF AN-32 till date.Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister
The 22 floating objects recovered have been determined as not related to the missing aircraft, he said.
(With PTI inputs)
Plea to Seek Alternatives to the AN-32
BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahtab urged the Lok Sabha to look for an alternative to the Soviet built AN-32 transport aircraft in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Mahtab raised concerns about the fractured relations between Russia (which manufactures the engines of AN-32 aircrafts) and Ukraine (which manufactures other components), which will affect India’s supply of spares after the Soviet Union’s break-up.
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