The defence cooperation between India and Australia is being strengthened through an institutionalised mechanism of Indo-Australian strategic dialogue. The first round of this dialogue was held in August 2001 and the second round in March, this year. Defence cooperation between India and Australia is also being progressed through joint Naval exercises and exchange of officers in defence training establishments of both countries.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Vijay Mallya J Darda in Rajya Sabha.

A gradual phasing out of the MiG-21 fleet is being resorted to keeping in view factors like technical and calendar life, maintainability and replacement. However, a specific timeframe cannot be fixed.

During this year, three MiG-21 aircraft have crashed till date killing three pilots. Courts of Inquiry have been set up to ascertain the causes.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr K Kalavenkata Rao in Rajya Sabha.

In the first week of May this year, the Prime Minister had witnessed both the technology demonstrators (TD 1 and TD2) of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) flying together after which he had christened LCA as Tejas. The
TD-1 and TD-2 have completed 93 flights for a duration of 47 hours including a supersonic flight in August this year.

Infrastructural facilities have been set up at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for producing limited number of aircraft. However, the number will be increased in due course of time to meet requirements of Indian Air Force (IAF). Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) of Tejas is planned by year 2006-2007 and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) by 2008-09. LCA has high export potential, and the Government will take decision on export of Tejas at an appropriate time.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr K Rama Mohana Rao in Rajya Sabha.

The setting up of a Naval Academy at Ezhimala is likely to be completed by mid-2006. The Government sanction for setting up this Academy in Kerala at an estimated cost of Rs 166.94 crore was accorded in 1995 for the training of 600 cadets for a B.Sc (special) Course. The construction work of the Academy is in progress.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Dr Alladi P Rajkumar in Rajya Sabha.

The government proposed to shift the IL-76 transport aircraft squadron based at the Agra Air Force Station to Nagpur Air Force Station. Further details cannot be divulged in the interest of national security.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr RS Gavai in Rajya Sabha.

The Air Headquarters had sent airlift bills to the tune of Rs 3 crore to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for aircraft used during floods in the state in August, 2000. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has requested for waiver of these bills in view of drought conditions prevailing in the state. The matter is being examined in the Ministry of Defence.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mrs NP Durga in Rajya Sabha.

A Price Negotiation Committee is currently negotiating the price of wheel self-propelled gun with the vendor. It is not true that the general service qualification requirement was changed after opening of the tender and the government does not propose to invite fresh tenders for the same.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Suresh Kalmadi in Rajya Sabha.

Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has worked out an internal "Vision Plan" to become a Rs 5,000-crore company by the year 2007. BEL meets a variety of requirements of the defence services in the areas of radars, sonars, communication equipment and systems, tank electronics, electronic warfare equipment etc. The turnover of the company during last year was Rs 2527 crore. It expects to achieve a growth target of 20 per cent during this year and a minimum of 15 per cent growth every year thereafter. It is expected to play a significant role in development of future electronic warfare equipment.

The exports achieved during last year were to the tune of Rs 48 crore while the target under the Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the Government of India (Ministry of Defence) for the year 2003-04 is Rs 48.40 crore.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Ms Mabel Rebello in Rajya Sabha.

The capital investment of Rs 762.70 crore (at 2002 level) on SU-30 MKI Project and Rs 120.64 crore (at 2002 level) on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Project for setting up of plant and machinery, civil works and other facilities for these projects is planned by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Proposal for productionising Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) at HAL is under progress. The production of SU-30 MKI aircraft in India is planned to commence during 2004-2005.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Rama Muni Reddy Sirigireddy in Rajya Sabha.

The situation on the Line of Control remains unchanged. During the year 2001-2003 (till July 22 last) 947 terrorists have been killed at the time of their attempts to infiltrate/exfiltrate. Intelligence inputs indicate that approximately 3000 terrorists are being trained in training camps in Pak- occupied Kashmir.

Adequate military measures are being taken to thwart Pak designs and to intercept terrorist groups attempting to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr K Rama Mohana Rao in Rajya Sabha.

Twelve Weapon Locating Radars (WLRs) were contracted with the US government in 2002. Delivery of these WLRs will commence in September 2004. In addition, two WLRs were also contracted on lease basis and these two WLRs have already arrived in the country. Steps have also been taken to produce WLRs indigenously. A Letter of Intent for procurement of 28 WLRs and development of one prototype WLR by April 2004 was placed on Ms Bharat Electronics Ltd in January this year.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Surendra Lath in Rajya Sabha.

Twenty flight tests have been carried out from January to June this year of all seven types of missiles including Agni-I and Bhrahmos. All the 20 flight- tests have met the mission objectives set for them. Prithvi (Army version) is already inducted into service. Prithvi (Air Force version), Dhanush (Naval version) and Agni I and II are under induction phase. An expenditure of aout Rs 75 crore has been incurred on the above flight-testing. This expenditure includes the cost of the missile.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Cho S Ramaswamy in Rajya Sabha.

No final decision has been taken by the Ministry of Defence for conversion of INS Vikrant into a museum. The ship had been transferred free of cost to Government of Maharashtra in October 1998 for conversion into a maritime museum. No further action has been taken by the Government of Maharashtra in this connection. A meeting was held in June in Mumbai in which officers of Ministry of Defence, Navy and Government of Maharashtra took part. It was decided to prepare a draft project report to identify possible options to convert Vikrant into a museum. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has already sanctioned Rs 5 crore for undertaking essential repairs of the ship.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Kirit Somaiya in Lok Sabha.

Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad, a public sector indertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has been exploring the possibility of exporting missiles. All such requests for export are dealt with on a case-to-case basis and are subject to clearance from the Ministry of Defence. While considering an export order for missiles, the Ministry takes into account : (i) the requirement of the Armed Forces; (ii) end-user certificate, (iii) licensing and contractual obligations and (iv) the country of destination, so as to ensure that such export is in national interest and that it would not be used against India.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Shyama Singh and others in Lok Sabha.

A gradual phasing out of the MiG-23 fleet is being carried out keeping in view factors like technical and calendar life, maintainability and replacement. In some years, the accident rate of MiG-23 aircraft has been higher than MiG-21 aircraft. All aircraft accidents are always investigated.

This information was given by Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Ekanath K Thakur in Rajya Sabha.