BY : THE HINDU
The divergent views prevailing over who will help the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in co-developing India’s first combat aircraft engine Kaveri have forced the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), which is evaluating the two overseas offers, to call for yet another round of discussions between the main protagonists.
Another meeting among key officials from the GTRE, the Indian Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is expected to be held next week, will hopefully enable the TAC to make up its mind on who — between the French aerospace company Snecma and Russia’s NPO Saturn — will join the GTRE in developing the engine. One of India’s most crucial aeronautical programmes, Kaveri is expected to power the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Around 300 engines are scheduled to be manufactured.
DRDO sources told The Hindu that the proposal of the Snecma and Russia had been thoroughly evaluated and both were found to be meeting on “most parameters of the GTRE’s requirements.” However, while HAL is keen to work with the Russians, the GTRE as well as DRDO officials are apparently more keen on the going forward with the French.
The DRDO’s preference for the Snecma offer is because it is “offering technology that is slightly superior to what the Russians are providing,” said the source. The IAF, who will be the Kaveri’s primary and probably only customer, has been largely reticent on this issue. However, the IAF is expected to raise the issue when Air Chief Marshal Fali Major chairs the quarterly ‘LCA review meeting’ that will be held in New Delhi on Monday.
The stalemate has further delayed a 19-year-old project that has cost the nation Rs.1,500 crore. In 2005, after insisting for 17 years that it will develop the engine on its own, the GTRE finally threw up its hands and sent out a request for proposal (RFP) from overseas engine houses seeking help.
The GTRE re-tendered the long partnership contract RFP in December 2006, seeking more details. These proposals are being evaluated.
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