LCA Erased import mania from our minds - Dr. Kota Harinarayana

The emphasis on indigenisation of the Light combat Programme has almost put an end to the import mania we Indians were suffering from,"  Dr Kota Harinarayana, Programme Director, Aeronautical Development agency (ADA) said

LCA Second prototype by SEP2001

The second prototype of multi-role LCA is all set to take to the skies in the last week of September 2001

LCA project director Kota Harinarayana, while delivering the foundation day lecture at National Aerospace Laboratory(NAL),said the prototype is getting ready and will be fit for flying next month. The first prototype, which made its madien flight on Jan 4. The NAL had played a curcial role in the development of this combat aircraft.

Kota Harinarayana, who is overwhelmed with the sucess of the project, said the LCA has 80 percent indigenous components and this was possible due to the sanctions imposed against India. The percent of indigenous components was increasing and this was the cheapest aircraft available in its category and its performance was so far satisfactory. Pointing out that the spare parts for most of fighter aircraft were being impoted, Harinarayana said the case with LCA was different. Already, the spinoffs were there to be seen and the Airbus Industry had bought the software developed for LCA for $3.2 million for its latest aircraft, Harinarayna said.

In his persidential address, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) director general Dr R A Mashelkar said the LCA project had shown that India could do much even during sanctions.

"We do not need people with super-brains. If you have a spark in   you, we will fan it into a flame" - Dr. V.K. Aatre, SA to RM

Post-Pokharan sanctions do not seem to have ruffled the   scientific community of India. Dr. V.K. Aatre, Scientific   Advisor to the Defence Minister, feels the sanctions have,   infact, propelled our scientists to greater heights