The maiden flight of the first Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) at Technology Demonstrator (TD-1) took place at Bangalore and the aircraft flew for 18 minutes.

During the flight test phase, a demonstration of core technologies, Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) is planned using two LCA technology demonstrators and five LCA prototypes.

The LCA was planned to be inducted in IAF after IOC in
the year 2003. The present sanctioned cost of LCA programme is Rs 2854 crore.

This information was given by the then Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr K Kalavenkata Rao and Dr Karan Singh in Rajya Sabha.

The government constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) consisting of the Home Minister, the Defence Minister, the External Affairs Minister and the Finance Minister to throughly review the national security system in its entirety and in particular to consider the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee and to formulate specific proposals for implementation. The recommenda-tions of the GoM have since been finalised after taking into account the report of the Kargil Review Committee, the reports submitted by the four Task Forces that had been set up by the GoM and other relevant inputs. Detailed recommendations for reforming the national security system including Armed Forces have been made in the report of the GoM which has been presented to the Prime Minister. Economic, industrial and the scientific capability of any nation determines its strategic and military strength. The government continuously monitors all factors impinging on the national security and takes appropriate decisions to safeguard it.

Within the overall structure of the democratic system of government and in accordance with the scheme of the constitution, the Armed Forces enjoy a considerable decree of autonomy. All efforts are made by the government to ensure that the Armed Forces maintain a very high morale.

This information was given by the then Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mrs Vanga Geetha in Rajya Sabha.

The modernisation of the Armed Forces is a continuous and ongoing process. The requirements of the Armed Forces are reviewed on a continuing basis for induction of modernised weapons and weapon systems keeping in view threat perceptions and the prevailing strategic security environment as also emerging technologies. All formations of the Indian Army including the ones at Kutch are to undergo modernisation in the 10th Army Plan also.

In order to curb smuggling and other anti-India activities from across the border, the government has decided to construct fencing with flood lighting on raised embankment, border roads, link road and border observation posts (BOPs).

The government has decided to deploy six floating BOPs in the creek areas of Gujarat sector to check infiltration and smuggling through the creek area.

This information was given by the then Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Bratin Sengupta in Rajya Sabha.

India has signed a contract with Russia for procurement of 310 T90S tanks. Out of this 124 tanks will be in fully formed condition and the remaining 186 in semi knocked down/completely knocked down form to be assembled in India, together with transfer of technology to take up the production of tanks in India.

The fully formed 124 T-90 tanks will cost over Rs 1400 crore while the 186 semi knocked down and completely knocked down tanks over Rs 2225 crore.

Another contract for 40 Mi 17-IV helicopters was also signed at a cost of 170 million US dollars. The helicopters are being assembled in India and till date 16 helicopters have been handed over to the IAF. The delivery of all the helicopters will be completed by August this year. The IAF personnel have been trained in Russia on systems not common with the existing fleet of Mi-17 and the maintenance facilities for these new helicopters do exist with the IAF. A team of Russian specialists is available in India during the warranty period of one year to provide technical assistance, if required.

This information was given by the then Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr K P Singh Deo, Mr Ganta Sreenivas Rao, Mr George Eden and Mr Shivajirao Vithalrao Kamble in Lok Sabha.