New Delhi, Feb 11 (PTI) Apparently concerned over recurring time overruns in the country's crucial Light Combat Aircraft project, Defence Minister A K Antony plans to review it during a day-long visit to Bangalore tomorrow.
The Minister accompanied by high-level officials will visit Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) units to witness live demonstration of the LCA-Tejas.
He will also go to the crucial sub-systems units GTRE, which is developing the indigenous aero-engine Kaveri and radars.
Antony will also visit Electronic and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE)and Aeronautical Development Establishment.
There have been problems in the development of the Kaveri engine and the government has recently taken moves to finalise a foreign partner for its co-development.
Kaveri has already undergone 1,700 hours of tests and has been sent twice to Russia to undergo high-altitude tests for which India has no facility. The engine is also being tested to power the next generation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
During his tour of LRDE, Antony would personally see progress made by DRDO scientists in developing shorter range airborne surveillance and reconnaissance radars for the IAF.
The Union Cabinet has already given a green signal to the development of such an aircraft-based system.
IAF and army propose to use this mini-AWACs systems as a compliment to the larger AWACS system being imported from Israel. These AWACS are scheduled to be delivered this year.
Emerging story. Watch this space for updates as more details come in
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