Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar advised employees of HAL, especially those involved in key projects, to think “out of the box” to meet the timeline challenges.

“Thrust should be given on research and technology by exploiting the existing knowledge base which companies like HAL has,” he said.

“One does not achieve everything overnight. However, by modifying our work culture and by adopting better technology and tools we can achieve better results,” he added.

LCA handover

The Minister handed over the first series production Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas made by HAL to the Indian Air Force (IAF) at a ceremony at HAL Bangalore Complex on Saturday. The Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) received the aircraft’s documents from the Minister in the presence of HAL Chairman, Dr RK Tyagi.

The CAS outlined that LCA is the need of the hour, given the operational needs of IAF. “We are happy to receive the documents of the first series production of LCA,” he said. He complimented HAL for handing over this aircraft, which would allow its induction and subsequent formation of the first Tejas squadron.

Dr Tyagi described the event as one of the major milestones in the history of the company. “We have achieved 60 per cent indigenisation in this LCA project so far. We will produce six aircraft next year (2015-16) and subsequently scale it up to eight and 16 aircraft per year.” he added.

He complimented ADA, IAF, CEMILAC, DGAQA, NAL and other participating institutions for the successful delivery of first Series Production aircraft. With the upcoming new hi-tech manufacturing complex for the capacity augmentation of LCA, HAL is confident of sharing its responsibility in ensuring national security. HAL is the principal partner for the development of LCA along with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) which is the nodal design agency and is responsible for program management of the project.

BEML visit

Parrikar later in the evening visited the Bangalore Complex of BEML. In his maiden visit, he was accompanied by Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, and P Dwarakanath, CMD and Functional Directors.

The minister rolled out 750 metro cars manufactured for Delhi Metro Corporation for its RS-9 Project. Besides, he also witnessed equipment demonstration of BEML

Products like high mobility vehicles and various products such as excavators, dozers and wheeled equipment.

BEML is pursuing an increase in the quantum of business in the Defence Sector to cash in on the emerging opportunities for business in the Rail and Metro segment as well as in high-end mining equipment.

The Defence Minister also visited Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The Minister later laid the foundation stone for the BEL Training Academy.

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