| ID | 135622 |
| Title Proper | For a better future |
| Other Title Information | self-reliance in Indian aerospace manufacturing looks like a distant dream |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Mekala, Dilip Kumar |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | If recent developments are any indication, the Indian Air Force (IAF) seems to have finally managed to grab a slightly bigger role in the design, development and acquisition of military aircraft. The government had appointed deputy chief of air staff (DCAS), Air Marshal S.B. Sinha in the board of directors of the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), catering to the long-standing demand of the IAF. Immediately after taking over in this new position, Air Marshal Sinha had reviewed the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, Tejas. On September 3, he had flown the aircraft in Bengaluru to get a first-hand experience, and also reviewed the progress in the project. The press release from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) after the event quoted the DCAS as saying that “the aircraft handles well both on the ground and in the air”. P.S. Subramanyam, programme director (Combat Aircraft) and director, Aeronautics Development Agency (ADA) said, “This flight of Tejas by a senior IAF commander indicates the high degree of confidence in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft.” |
| `In' analytical Note | Force Vol.12, No.2; Oct.2014: p.35-37 |
| Journal Source | Force 2014-10 12, 2 |
| Standard Number | Indian Air Force – IAFs |