<p>The Indian Air Force has a shortage of 405 pilots against the authorised strength, the government told Lok Sabha on Wednesday.</p>.<p>Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik said the number of pilots in the Indian Air Force at present is 3,834 as against the sanctioned strength of 4,239.</p>.<p>"There is a shortage of 405 pilots (as on March 1) in the IAF," he said, replying to a question.</p>.<p>He said 260 aircraft are being used for training of pilots in the force.</p>.<p>The trainer aircraft in the IAF included Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, Kiran MkI/IA and Hawk Mk-132 advanced jet trainer.</p>.<p>To a separate question on whether India can counter China effectively with hypersonic vehicles, the minister declined to answer saying the information sought is highly sensitive and classified.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-to-have-17-rafale-jets-by-march-entire-fleet-by-2022-rajnath-singh-948997.html" target="_blank">India to have 17 Rafale jets by March: Rajnath</a></strong></p>.<p>"The information sought is highly sensitive and classified and cannot be divulged on the floor of the House," he said in his written reply.</p>.<p>Replying to another question, Naik said 1,98,881 dwelling units were planned for construction through Married Accommodation Project route and 57,875 units were already built under phase one of the project.</p>.<p>He said 69,904 units were planned to be built under phase two of the project out of which construction of 58,062 units was completed.</p>.<p>Naik said there was a plan to construct 71,102 units under phase three of the project but an in-principle decision has been taken to construct further married accommodation through the Annual Major Works Programme route.</p>
<p>The Indian Air Force has a shortage of 405 pilots against the authorised strength, the government told Lok Sabha on Wednesday.</p>.<p>Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik said the number of pilots in the Indian Air Force at present is 3,834 as against the sanctioned strength of 4,239.</p>.<p>"There is a shortage of 405 pilots (as on March 1) in the IAF," he said, replying to a question.</p>.<p>He said 260 aircraft are being used for training of pilots in the force.</p>.<p>The trainer aircraft in the IAF included Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, Kiran MkI/IA and Hawk Mk-132 advanced jet trainer.</p>.<p>To a separate question on whether India can counter China effectively with hypersonic vehicles, the minister declined to answer saying the information sought is highly sensitive and classified.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-to-have-17-rafale-jets-by-march-entire-fleet-by-2022-rajnath-singh-948997.html" target="_blank">India to have 17 Rafale jets by March: Rajnath</a></strong></p>.<p>"The information sought is highly sensitive and classified and cannot be divulged on the floor of the House," he said in his written reply.</p>.<p>Replying to another question, Naik said 1,98,881 dwelling units were planned for construction through Married Accommodation Project route and 57,875 units were already built under phase one of the project.</p>.<p>He said 69,904 units were planned to be built under phase two of the project out of which construction of 58,062 units was completed.</p>.<p>Naik said there was a plan to construct 71,102 units under phase three of the project but an in-principle decision has been taken to construct further married accommodation through the Annual Major Works Programme route.</p>