Sachin's Sukhoi flight? In a bit, says Air Force

New Delhi:

The IAF will discuss with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar about his desire to fly the frontline Sukhoi fighter jet after the current India-South Africa series, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said on Monday.

"Now the (India-South Africa) cricket series is going on. We will discuss this (Sachin's Sukhoi flight) after the series," Naik told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

He was replying to a question on when and where Sachin would fly the Sukhoi as desired by him when he was conferred the honorary rank of Group Captain in Delhi a couple of months ago.

The India-South Africa cricket series will end on January 23.

Naik also congratulated Sachin on scoring his career's 50th test century at Centurion in South Africa yesterday.

"He is a great cricketer of our times. IAF's good wishes are with him. His 50th century has come because of his own capabilities as a cricketer and also our best wishes are with him," he said when asked for comments on the record Sachin set at Centurion by becoming the first cricketer ever to score 50 centuries in test cricket.

Su-30MKI is the top of the line 4.5 generation fighter jet in IAF's fleet. These are the Indian-made aircraft with Russian technology transfer. IAF operates five squadrons of these potent fighter jets.