Article Posted on : - Mar 11, 2015

LCA Tejas.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Development of high-end technology from scratch, lack of skilled manpower and technological complexities were some of the reasons the government has cited for the delay in the completion of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar informed Rajya Sabha in a written reply that ab-initio development of state-of-the-art technology, non-availability of trained and skilled manpower in the country, lack of infrastructure, including test facilities, and unanticipated technical issues and complexities were some of the reasons for delay in the LCA project.

He said the initial cost of phase II of full-scale engineering development programme of LCA Tejas was Rs 3,301.78 crore. "Based on modifications required in the aircraft, an additional sanction of Rs 2,475.78 crore was granted, which increased the total sanctioned cost of Phase II programme to Rs 5,777.56 crore," he said.

Quoting open sources, Parrikar said Tejas performs better on certain perimeters as compared to similar fighters of other countries such as the Swedish JAS-39, South Korean FA 50 and Sino-Pakistani JF-17.