The Hindu : LCA named Tejas

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 05, 2003

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LCA named Tejas

By Our Special Correspondent

The Defence Minister, George Fernandes, and the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, in front of the Light Combat Aircraft, `Tejas', at a function at the Bangalore International Airport on Sunday. — AFP

BANGALORE MAY 4. The indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) — the smallest, lightweight, single-engine, single-seat, multi-role, fourth generation combat aircraft — was named "Tejas" (radiance) by the Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee, in Bangalore on Sunday.

Speaking at a function to christen the aircraft, the Prime Minister said even in the era of globalisation, in which free movement of goods, technologies and services was a recurring mantra, the country's defence modernisation programme continued to strive for maximum technological autonomy.

He expressed concern that in spite of adopting a responsible policy on missile, nuclear and dual use technologies and taking utmost care to avoid their proliferation, the country continued to face technology denial regimes which tried to impede its weapons development and other programmes.

In this context, Mr. Vajpayee referred to the policy adopted by the country on missile, nuclear, and dual use technologies, and said it was concerned, in the same way as other countries, that these technologies should not fall into the wrong hands.

The Defence Minister, George Fernandes, referred to the cynicism expressed by many a few years ago about the LCA and the Advanced Light Helicopter project taking off, and complimented the scientists, engineers, and workers of the organisations concerned for completing the mission.

The Chief of Air Staff, S. Krishnaswamy, said the LCA reflected the total capability of the Indian aviation sector, and he was convinced that the world-class weapon of war could teach any adversary a lesson.

The Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Director-General, Aeronautical Development Agency, V.K. Atre, in his welcome address, said the LCA had done 76 flights, and with the prototype vehicle about to join it, it would go supersonic shortly.

Also present on the occasion were the Union Ministers, Ananth Kumar and O. Rajagopal, the Karnataka Governor, T.N. Chaturvedi, and the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna.

Mr. Vajpayee, who witnessed some spectacular demonstrations by Tejas, said the American engines of the aircraft would soon be replaced by the indigenous Kaveri engines to make it 75 to 80 per cent indigenous.

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