``We have evaluated the French Alfa jet and British Hawk and submitted it to the government. The decision will hopefully be taken in four to six weeks,'' the air chief said.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating a senior citizens' home for retired Air Force personnel, he said that technology upgradation of the force should be on the top of the agenda of his successor.

Former air chief S K Kaul, who was also present on the occasion, said that the government should take a decision on AJTs as early as possible. ``With every year's delay in acquiring them, their cost is increasing by seven per cent annually. What could have cost Rs 2,000 crore is now costing Rs 6,000 crore.''

Laying out the possible course of action for his successor Air Marshal Tipnis who will take over on January 1, ACM Sareen said that modernisation of the force whichhas been started in a big way should be continued.``We have to take up upgradation of MiG 21s and MiG 27s. The force multipliers in the pipeline should also be pursued.''

The air chief said that the IAF will have to take technology jumps and create a suitable physical and training infrastructure to sustain them. ``I think I am leaving a lot of work for my successor apart from what he can add on,'' he added.

This is apart from the daily operations of the IAF which flies over a thousand aeroplanes every day. ``The training, maintenance of infrastructure and safety of each of the force is a full time occupation by itself.''On his achievements during his tenure as the chief of Air Force, Sareen said that the operational flights of fighter jets has increased by 28 per cent, an all time high since the inception of the IAF. Air craft utilisation has gone up even while the accident rates have been lowest in two consecutive years.

The accident rates in fighter jets have come down to 16 in 1997 from 25 beforeSareen took over. ``This is despite the limitations like the absence of AJTs. We have reduced human errors.''

On the management of the force, Sareen said that several incentives including veteran's hospital, double in the insurance cover, tripling of the house allowance, cubicles for bachelors and so.

The veteran's home, constructed at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore, has 76 rooms, 38 each for retired officers and men.