'Cryogenic engine by next year'

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JAN. 23. Tiding over technology denials triggered by sanctions, the country will have its own indigenous cryogenic engine by early next year, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman, Dr. C.G.Krishnadas Nair, said here on Tuesday.

Dr. Nair told presspersons that an imported engine would be made available by mid-March. The HAL was now working with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the development of an indigenous engine, he said.

He said although technology denial had forced the country to go for an alternative engine for the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), efforts were on to tie up with a foreign supplier for a much powerful engine capable of high altitude flight. ``Shakti will be the engine for ALH in the future,'' Dr. Nair said referring to the proposed new engine.

On the indigenous Kaveri engine for Light Combat Aircraft, he said getting the engine ready in time for the LCA would be a big challenge.

The Intermediate Jet Trainer, Dr. Nair said, would fly in 2002 with a Larsac engine. ``We want to develop it further so that the trainer's capability is enhanced,'' he said.

He said HAL was working with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for a modified LP engine for Prithvi.

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