Coll 5/54 ‘Afghanistan: Training of Afghan Air Personnel in India’ [‎122r] (243/519)

(15) Training of Air Force Personnel Abroad.
367. In April the Afghan Government despatched eight pilots, eight
observers, eight engine mechanics, two fitters, one AV]T operator, one armourer,
one electrician and one meteorologist to India for one year’s training in “ iei ^
respective duties by the Royal Air Force. These aviation students were selected
from various schools in Kabul, and were given very sketchy theoretical tram-
ins before being sent to India. The training is being provided free by the Gov
ernment of India. Reports from India indicate that all the students are making
satisfactory progress and the Afghan Government have frequently expressed
their oratitude for the facilities given to them for training their air force personnel
in India In November an officer of the Afghan Air Force visited the students
at Karachi with a view to ascertaining the progress they had made. On his
return to Kabul he expressed his complete satisfaction with the type of training
being given by the Royal Air Force and the standard of efficiency attained by the
students Two of the students have been returned to Kabul owing to ill-health,
mid one student died in Karachi. When these students return to Afghanistan
next April they will form a useful nucleus of trained personnel for the Afghan
Air Force.
368. The grant of facilities for training Afghans in aviation in India has
alreadv produced a change in outlook and a more friendly attitude towards the
British amongst officers of the Air Force and the Ministry of Defence and while
owing to tne high cost of British aircraft, it may not be possible for the Afghan
Government to purchase all their aircraft from British sources they will probably
continue to obtain a proportion of their requirements from England.
•v-q j n February it was reported that sixteen students for training in avia
tion'were to be despatched to Italy, and that these students were being given
instruction in the Italian language in Kabul. During the summer reports were
very eondicting and the number of students to be sent to Italy increased to thirty-
three So far as is known none have been sent during the year, and it is possible
that the offer by the Government of India to give free training for one year to
some thirty aviation students forestalled an Italian offer.