"More than 800 companies and 16,000 air warriors have registered with the IAF Placement Cell in last five years. The fair will be inaugurated by Defence Minister A K Antony who will release a pension handbook on the occasion," an IAF spokesperson said here today.

Since 2007, a total of 12,760 vacancies were received by the placement cell and 28,394 eligible air warriors were sponsored to various companies, the spokesperson said. Corporate groups and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have been invited to participate in the fair.

To achieve maximum number of confirmed appointments, the placement cell has initiated various measures such as on-site assistance for interested candidates, employee-employer interaction sessions and training cum induction programmes, the official said.

The cell is also promoting opportunities for self employment, entrepreneurship and franchise schemes for those interested in starting their own ventures, he added.

After declaring 2007 as the 'Year of Placement' for ex- servicemen, IAF has conducted special placement drives at frequent intervals to ensure smooth transition of air warriors into a second career.