The
First Series Production Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has been handed over
to Chief of Air Staff by Raksha Mantri on 17th January 2015.
The
following are some of the reasons for delay in completion of LCA project:
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Ab-initio
development of the state-of-the-art technologies.
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·
Non-availability
of trained / skilled manpower in the country.
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·
Non-availability
of infrastructure / test facilities in the country.
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·
Unanticipated
technical / technological complexities faced in structural design.
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·
Non-availability
of critical components / equipment / materials and denial of technologies by
the technologically advanced countries.
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·
Enhanced
User’s requirements or change in specifications during development.
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·
Increase
in the scope of work.
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·
Inadequate
production facility at HAL.
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The
initial cost of Full Scale Engineering Development (FSED) Programme Phase-II
of LCA Tejas was Rs. 3301.78 crore. Based on modifications required in the
aircraft, an additional sanction of Rs. 2475.78 crore was granted, which
increased the total sanctioned cost of Phase-II Programme to Rs. 5777.56 crore.
From
the open sources, it is seen that the contemporary aircraft of LCA developed in
other countries are JAS-39 by Sweden, FA-50 by South Korea and JF-17 by
Pakistan / China. The engines installed in these aircraft (except that of
JF-17) are GE-404 series engines. LCA parameters, such as empty weight, all up
weight (except that of JAS-39), thrust, speed (except that of JAS-39) are
better than those of the other aircrafts. Similarly, development / unit cost
of LCA are less than those of JAS-39 and FA-50 but more than that of JF-17.
However, LCA’s Ferry Range is less than those of other aircrafts.
This
information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written
reply to Shri Palvai Govardhan Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.
DM/NAMPI/HH/RAJ