Rajnath flags HAL delays, calls for realistic project timelines

BENGALURU: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday praised aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for “delivering three indigenous aviation platforms from one stage” as India’s PSU delivered two FOC LCA Mk1 trainers and three HTT-40 trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force and four Dhruv NG civilian helicopters to Pawan Hans Ltd from its biggest aircraft complex.However, the defence minister flagged concerns about delays in indigenous defence platforms, saying they “lead to cost escalations and increase the risk of technology obsolescence”. He also called for “realistic project timelines to address delays in ongoing technical projects”. He said this at a time HAL is yet to deliver 180 Tejas MK1A aircraft signed with the IAF in two separate contracts (for 83 jets in 2021 and 97 fighters in 2025 worth over Rs 1.1 lakh crore) owing to issues with missile and radar integration with the combat aircraft.