BENGALURU: For the first time, the Ministry of Defence has given permission for customer demo flying of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas during Aero India 2017.
C D Balaji, Director, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), told reporters on Saturday that PV5 and PV6 (both trainers) would be available for evaluation by customers.
Representatives of foreign air forces that have shown interest in the aircraft have been shortlisted for the demo flight. A DRDO official said, “This is not the first time that Tejas has been manned by customers as the Air Force chief of Turkmenistan and senior IAF officials have flown it earlier. But this is the first time we are providing evaluation ride at Aero India since its beginning in 1996.” He said the aircraft will fly with Kaveri engine during Aero India 2019.
Boost for ‘Make in India’
DRDO chief S Christopher said, “In the past decade or so, DRDO has received orders worth `2.7 crore but in just one and half years, DRDO has got assignments worth `1.1 lakh crore. This goes on to show that DRDO is supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The Ministry of Defence giving clearance for 83 LCA Tejas MK1A was the highest to be given in one go in history.”
Stress on UAVs
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will be the future in wars and the focus to harness the technology will be taken in the upcoming days, said Christopher.
He said indigenously developed UAV Rustom-II will be inducted by mid-year.
He added, “We are also making a policy document on the unmanned capability to be provided for defence services. Last time I met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, he stressed on the importance of UAVs. You may have to sit in drawing rooms and fight wars.”