Article Posted on : - Dec 02, 2009

The Arjun main battle tank and the Tejas light combat aircraft.

NEW DELHI (BNS): India is planning to develop indigenous engine for its main battle tank Ajrun in partnership with domestic industries, Defence Minister A K Antony said Wednesday.

The engine and transmission of the MBT is currently being imported from Germany while the armament system in it is produced by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

“A project has been proposed to develop indigenous engine and transmission on joint venture basis partnering with potential Indian industries for Arjun Tank. DRDO has already commenced pre-project activities associated with this new development,” Antony told Rajya Sabha in reply to a question.

Similarly, efforts are also on to fully indigenise the production of India’s maiden light combat aircraft, Tejas, he said.

The aircraft are presently being powered by American General Electric F-404 engines. The Gas Turbine Research Establishment, a lab under DRDO, is developing the Kaveri engine for the LCA.

“To cater to the additional thrust requirement within the same engine envelope, co-development with an established and reputed international engine house is being contemplated,” Antony said.

While 70 percent of avionics systems integrated on Tejas are home-made, rest 30 percent are being imported from Israel, France, Italy, United Kingdom and USA.

Parallel efforts are being made for indigenising remaining 30 percent of the avionic systems, the minister said.