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MiGs not to be phased out: Fernandes

Defence Minister George Fernandes on Friday ruled out the phasing out MiG fighter jets in the wake of crashes involving the aircraft.

He said the government would soon upgrade the technology to prevent such mishaps.

Talking to reporters in Vijaywada, Fernandes said a team of Russian technologists had not found any fault with the MiGs being used by the Indian Air Force.

The defence minister said he had already discussed the matter with the chief of the air force and maintenance engineers, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited officials, who were in agreement regarding the airworthiness of the MiGs.

Replying to a query about Thursday's MiG trainer jet crash near Bagdogra airbase, in which two pilots were killed, Fernandes reiterated that the expert team had visited all maintenance air force bases, "but they could not find any fault with the MiG trainer fighters".

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