LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT
In the first week
of May this year, the Prime Minister had witnessed both the technology
demonstrators (TD 1 and TD2) of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), flying
together. After which he has christened LCA as "Tejas". The TD-I
and TD-2 have completed 93 flights for a duration of 47 hours,
including a supersonic flight on 1.8.2003.
Infrastructural facilities
have been set up at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for producing
limited number of aircraft. However, the number will be increased
in due course of time to meet requirements of Indian Air Force
(lAP). Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) of Tejas is planned
by year 2006-2007 and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) by 2008-09.
LCA has high export potential, and the Government will take decision
on export of Tejas at the appropriate time.
This information
was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written
reply to Shri K Rama Mohana Rao in Rajya Sabha today.
NAVAL ACADEMY AT
EZHIMALA
The setting up of
a naval academy in Ezhimala is likely to be completed by mid 2006.
The Government sanction for setting up this Academy at District
Kannur in Kerala at the estimated cost of Rs. 166.94 crores was
accorded in 1995 for training of 600 Cadets for a B.Sc (Special)
Course. Construction work on the Academy is in progress.
This information
was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written
reply to Dr. Alladi P Rajkumar in Rajya Sabha today.
