Cmde C D Balaji appointed chief of Aeronautical Development Establishment

BENGALURU: Cmde C D Balaji (Retd), Project Director, Light Combat Aircraft (Navy), today took over as the Director of Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADA) and Programme Director of LCA.

He succeeds P S Subramanyam who superannuated on June 30. Balaji, commissioned into the Indian Navy in September 1978 in the Engineering Branch, has specialised in the Naval Aviation Arm, according to a Defence Research and Development Organisation release.

He joined ADA on deputation in 2002 involved with the first time development of a Naval version of the LCA (Navy).

As a Project Director LCA (Navy), he has been responsible for the maiden flight of the first Naval variant of LCA (NP1) on April 27, 2012 followed by the maiden ski jump launch.

From December 1, 2006, he left the Navy and moved on permanent absorption to ADA, the release said.