Look for an alternative to Soviet-built AN-32 planes: BJD MP

India should pro-actively search for an alternative to the Soviet built AN-32 transport aircraft, one of the IAF planes which has gone missing over the Bay of Bengal on July 22, the Lok Sabha was told today.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahtab expressed concern that the IAF transport plane was still missing despite a combined search by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and the IAF.
He strongly pleaded that it was time India looked for an alternative as it faced a strange situation as regards supply of spares in the wake of the break-up of the Soviet Union.

Mahtab said that while the engine part of the plane was being built by Russia, other components are being manufactured by neighbouring Ukraine, the two countries which are not on the best of terms.
Noting the importance of transport planes at times of war, he recalled that the USA had not responded to urgent pleas from India to provide such planes to rush troops to the border when China attacked in 1962.
Deepender Hooda (Cong) sought a statement from the government over the missing transport aircraft.