The force is also planning to station part of the fleet of 22 Apache helicopters being procured from the US in that sector. The proposal is awaiting clearance from Defence Ministry's Finance Wing and its cost is being estimated.
Commenting on how the cut of around Rs 12,000 crore in the defence budget was affecting his force, Browne said, “Well we have the 42 Su-30MKI aircraft. The contract (for the additional planes) has to be signed. Payments have to be made for that because the first four aircraft deliveries will take place in March. We have to find money for it.”
