Tech complexities among reasons for Light Combat Aircraft project delay: Manohar Parrikar

NEW DELHI: Development of hi-tech technology from the scratch, lack of skilled manpower and technological complexities were some of the reasons the government today gave for delay in 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 3301.78 crore. "Based on modifications required in the aircraft, an additional sanction of Rs 2475.78 crore was granted, which increased the total sanctioned cost of Phase II programme to Rs 5777.56 crore," he said.

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