New Delhi: The light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas is deficient in at least 100 technical parameters, said experts associated with the project. They also alleged that the initial operation clearance granted to Tejas two years ago was given despite the aircraft not meeting various crucial technical parameters.
The experts said as the aircraft has not achieved crucial technical parameters, it continues to be flown only by test pilots and its performance parameters too need to be monitored by ground-based stations. They also said the engine of Tejas lacked sufficient power. Though the experts are hopeful that these issues would be resolved by the end of 2013, they admit complex technicalities pose serious obstacles.
In a press release issued in March, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) admitted the delay in completion of project "Development of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas" and said it was hopeful to achieve Full Operational Clearance (FOC) by December 2014. "The LCA project, which though got delayed initially, is currently progressing on a fast track and is working on aggressive time schedules," it said.
"Productionisation of LCA is already going on. First series production aircraft is likely to be ready by the end of 2013. Indian Air Force has already placed order for 20 LCA in IOC configuration and another of 20 LCA in FOC configuration," added the release. ...
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01:02 PM, Apr 12, 2013
Far from the damaging allegations of bribery in the VVIP helicopter deal, India's political brass assembled at Pokhran on Friday to witness the first Air Force day-night firepower demonstration named 'Iron Fist'. ...
03:29 PM, Feb 23, 2013
The Pentagon is lifting its ban on women serving in combat, opening hundreds of thousands of front-line positions and potentially elite commando jobs after generations of limits on their service, defense officials said on January 23. The changes, set to be announced on January 24 by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, will not happen overnight. The services must now develop plans for allowing women to seek the combat positions, a senior...
11:35 AM, Jan 24, 2013
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has decided to lift the military's ban on women serving in combat, a move that could open thousands of front-line jobs to women, a senior US defense official said. ...
02:46 AM, Jan 24, 2013
Consolidating his hold on the powerful military, China's new leader Xi Jinping has ordered the 2.3 million-strong People's Liberation Army to "obey" the commands of the ruling Communist Party and asked it to be combat-ready. ...
12:59 AM, Dec 13, 2012
In a major step to increase its operational reach, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided that all its aircraft and helicopters meant for combat and combat support will henceforth have the capability for mid-air refuelling. ...
07:30 AM, Dec 10, 2012
New Delhi: Actress Jacqueline Feranandez showed her daring side when she performed a combat sequence in her upcoming slick thriller 'Race 2'. In the film, Jacqueline will be seen performing a fencing sequence using swords and knives, with Saif Ali Khan in tow. The film releases Jan 25. Fencing is a sport of armed combat using three weapons - foil, epee and saber. Jacqueline learned and performed the epee and...
11:07 AM, Nov 22, 2012
New Delhi: India is all set to procure 42 Su-30 MKI combat aircraft and 71 medium-lift helicopters from Russia. The issue was discussed during meeting between Defence Minister AK Antony and his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov in New Delhi and an agreement in this regard is expected to be signed during the visit of President Vladimir Putin on November 1, sources said. The 42 Su-30MKIs will add to the firepower...
01:39 AM, Oct 11, 2012
New Delhi: Indian Air Force is planning to buy two second-hand Mirage 2000 combat aircraft to make up for the losses suffered by it in crashes earlier this year. IAF, which has signed a deal with France for upgradation of 51 Mirage 2000 aircraft, lost two of these planes in crashes in February and March after which its fleet was reduced to 49. "We are planning to procure these aircraft...
05:01 PM, Sep 23, 2012
New Delhi: Addressing questions raised over the process of selecting Rafale fighter planes, the government is going ahead with the procurement of 126 French combat aircraft and effort is being made to complete the deal within this financial year. Contract negotiations for the multi-billion dollar deal will resume soon, government sources said. Questions had been raised over the process by an MP besides some other quarters but a committee of...
12:40 PM, Aug 26, 2012
Pune: Defence Research and Development Organisation on Friday said it is developing an advanced fifth generation fighter aircraft which will have components to monitor the functioning of key components like avionics, air conditioning and pressure-regulating systems. DRDO has showcased the models of its fifth generation aircraft known as the Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) at various defence exhibitions in the country. "India's fifth-generation aircraft, which is being developed by DRDO, will...
03:48 AM, Jun 16, 2012
New Delhi: Aiming to enhance the combat potential of its fighter aircraft, the IAF has signed contracts with various companies to upgrade its fleet of combat planes involving MiG-29, MiG-27, Mirage-2000 and Jaguars. In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, Defence Minister AK Antony said, "IAF has undertaken upgrades of MiG-21 and MiG-29 aircraft. Contracts have also been signed to upgrade MiG-29, Mirage-2000 and Jaguar aircraft."...
03:17 PM, Apr 30, 2012
Bangalore: India on Friday joined an elite club of countries by test flying the naval variant of its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in this tech hub under a partially cloudy sky. "With the successful maiden flight of the LCA's naval variant, India joins an elite club of countries capable of designing, developing, manufacturing and testing the fourth generation carrier borne fly-by-wire ski take off but arrested recovery (Stobar) aircraft," said...
01:56 AM, Apr 28, 2012
Four companies are battling for the largest ever public-private partnership project to build a light armoured carrier for the Indian Army"the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV). The Army needs about 2,600 such vehicles over 20 years. All four bidders"Tata Motors, Mahindra Defence Systems, L&T and the government-owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)"have presented their designs and the evaluation is set to move to the final phase within a month. The Rs...
12:07 PM, Apr 09, 2012
New Delhi: The first squadron of Medium-Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) consisting of 18 aircraft is expected to be inducted into the IAF within three to four years of signing of the contract with its supplier. In reply to a question on delivery of MMRCA, Defence Minister AK Antony told Lok Sabha on Monday, "First squadron of MMRCA consisting of 18 aircraft is expected to be inducted within three to...
03:29 PM, Mar 19, 2012
Chennai: In a freak accident, a soldier perched over a T-90 battle tank was killed when its driver lost control and dashed against a concrete structure in Chennai on Friday. A concrete slab fell on the tank following the mishap, killing the soldier and injuring another at the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE). "It is an unfortunate accident. The tank was taken out for testing. The driver was...
07:47 AM, Mar 03, 2012
Chennai: In a freak accident, a soldier perched over a T-90 battle tank was killed when its driver lost control and dashed against a concrete structure in Chennai on Friday. A concrete slab fell on the tank following the mishap, killing the soldier and injuring another at the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE). "It is an unfortunate accident. The tank was taken out for testing. The driver was...
08:18 PM, Mar 02, 2012
Bangalore: IAF will make public in four weeks the winner of India's biggest-ever Rs 42,000 crore military contract to acquire 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said in Bangalore. "We are calculating very hard. There is a lot of work going on. I expect (in) another four weeks, we should be able to wrap it up", Browne told reporters here amid intense flurry among the...
10:53 AM, Nov 19, 2011
New Delhi: The multi-billion dollar deal to procure 126 combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) entered its last phase on Friday with Defence Ministry opening commercial bids of the two European contenders to determine the lowest bidder, a process that is expected to take six to eight weeks. "The Contract Negotiations Committee (CNC) of the Defence Ministry opened the commercial bids and read out the offers made by...
07:32 PM, Nov 04, 2011
