Aero India 2017: LCA not rejected, Navy will fund Tejas project, says Parrikar

BENGALURU: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday set the record straight on the Indian Navy's decision to scout for a twin-engine fighter jet, rejecting the indigenous navy version of 'Tejas', in the process.

Asked about reports that the Navy had dumped 'Tejas' but issued the RFI (request for information) to Boeing and SAAB for the F/A-18 Superhornet and Gripen E respectively, he told the media the decision was taken as the naval force felt the need for a twin-engine combat jet. The Indian Navy will continue to fund development of naval variant of 'Tejas', he added.

The RFI has mentioned 57 twin engine jets to be inducted by the Indian Navy for aircraft carrier-borne operations, but ironically the naval version of Gripen E has not been acquired by any country.

The navy's decision irked Dr V.K. Saraswat, Member, Niti Aayog, and former chief of DRDO, so much that he criticised Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba for arriving at a decision which defies logic, while addressing an international seminar on the eve of Aero India 2017 here on February 12.

“When they projected Gripen as an alternative for LCA Navy, I was surprised. LCA MK2 (which is under development) and Gripen, as platforms, have no difference. The GE F-414 is powering both aircraft, so where is the question of low thrust? All that people, who are at the helm of the affairs, have done is badmouth institutions which have done a wonderful job. Is this the approach to make ourselves self-reliant? Any number of Aero India(s) can take place, but unless you have conviction and faith in your own capabilities, you can't achieve self-reliance," he told delegates at the seminar.