AFP, BANGALORE, India: India, decades behind developed nations in technology, is banking on its “light” aircraft and helicopters to capture a slice of global defence spending, the country's airforce chief said Tuesday.
“We are two decades behind in technology,” Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy told Indian and foreign trainer pilots at a conference in this southern city of Bangalore, India's aviation hub.
“We are not in a rush to catch up but India has certainly a place under the sun. We do not have the luxury of producing any type of aircraft … as we have limited resources. We prefer to go slow and steady,” he said.
“Our specalisation in in the light series such as the Light Combat Aircraft, Light Combat Helicopter and Advanced Light Helicopter. That will be our trademark,” Krishnaswamy said.
The aircraft are built by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics for the Indian military.
India's multi-role Light Combat Aircraft — in development since 1983 — has been a long-cherished dream of India's air force, which wants to reduce its dependence on foreign imports.
The fighter, whose development was partly delayed by US sanctions imposed after New Delhi carried out nuclear tests in 1998, can carry seven weapon stations and has a provision for inflight refuelling.
The aircraft is expected to be inducted into the Indian air force this decade.
“Though it has taken time, the cost at which we have done it is so small indeed. It is the most cost-effective in its class. The (locally-built) Cauvery engine will be put on the aircraft. We will fly with it,” Krishnaswamy said.
He said the sanctions that kept India from developing its technology had worked to its advantage.
“It added bounce and spirit to our programmes,” he said.
“We need a fine product, produce it in large numbers and sell it abroad. It must have a good marketing capability. The Light Combat Aircraft has given us very good fabrication and engineering facilities,” Krishnaswamy said.
The prototype of Light Combat Helicopter, powered by engines made by Turbomeca of France, and fitted with anti-tank missiles, air-to-air missiles and electronic warfare equipment was unveiled last year.
It is expected to be operational within four years.
The Advanced Light Helicopter has already been put into operation by the army, navy and air force.
Krishnaswamy said a locally-built passenger aircraft, Saras, would hit the testing phase within a couple of weeks and the Indian Air Force had taken steps to fight attrition in its ranks.
The Indian Air Force currently has a strength of 160,000.
