NEW DELHI: A total of 157 Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots have been killed in crashes involving MiG fighter jets between 1971-72 and 2004-05, parliament was informed Wednesday (dec 1).

The data as on Nov 24 also reported deaths of 40 civilians in the crashes, which resulted in financial loss of about Rs.17 billion ($400 million), Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

He said the IAF was undertaking "continuous" and "multi-faceted" efforts to enhance and upgrade flight safety.

"Measures to enhance the quality of training to improve the skill levels, ability to exercise sound judgement and situational awareness of pilots are being pursued."

Constant interaction with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and original equipment manufactures of the countries concerned are being pursued to overcome the technical defects of aircraft. Besides, measures were undertaken to prevent accidents caused by birds.

Courtesy Indo-Asian News Service