National

Agni missile group for Army cleared

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MAY 15. The Government has cleared the raising of a second missile group for the Army comprising the Agni. The Army already has a missile group equipped with the 150-250 km. range surface-to-surface Prithvis.

According to analysts, the entrusting of the 700-km-range Agni-II to the Army could mean that the intermediate range Agni-I might be entrusted to the Air Force's soon-to-be-created strategic nuclear command.

``The Government has approved in principle the raising of the Agni missile group for the Army. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been working on the design and development of the Agni ballastic missile system based on the strategic requirements of the armed forces,'' the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, told the Rajya Sabha here today.

The Government also plans to induct the medium range surface-to-air missile, Akash and the short range naval version, Trishul into service in 2003-04 after more flight trials. The final phase of guided trials for Akash and Trishul are planned in 2003.

The Minister said the indigenously-developed light combat aircraft (LCA) is likely to be ready for induction into the IAF by 2005. The main reasons for delay in the project are lack of development experience, non-availability of ready infrastructure, foreign exchange crunch of 1992, sanctions imposed by the U.S. in 1998 and technological complexities.

The first block of flight tests had been completed on the first technology demonstrator LCA (TD1).

Analyses of the test results have indicated a reasonably good match between recorded flight data and performance estimates. The aircraft is being prepared for second block of flight tests.

The second technology demonstrator LCA (TD2) is undergoing taxi trials before its maiden flight.

In reply to another question, he said an agreement had been signed in February 2001 with Uzbekistan for procurement of six IL-78 flight refuelling aircraft. These aircraft would be delivered by December 2003.

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