No delay in Akash, Trishul: Jaswant Singh

NEW DELHI, APRIL 19. The Government today clarified that there were no further slippages in the induction schedule of the indigenous surface-to-air Akash and Trishul missiles and that these systems would be ready for induction by 2002.

The Defence Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the missiles had entered guided flight trials, and that Akash had already been successfully test-fired in February and March this year. On the LCA project, he said the Kaveri engine with flight rating was likely to be offered for integration with the LCA by next year.

During the present year, the Government had allocated Rs. 150 crores for the development of the engine, which had already undergone 960 hours of ground testing and 45 hours of testing on simulated altitude test facilities abroad. The Government was also considering a proposal to set up a Far Eastern Naval Command by upgrading the Andaman and Nicobar Fortress Command.

On the proposed Hawk advance jet trainer deal, Mr. Singh said negotiations were under progress. He discounted fears that protracted negotiations could lead to Hawk's technology becoming outdated. ``Certain airframe designs, especially of the trainer aircraft do not get outdated for considerable periods.''

On reports of U.S. and British Royal Navy warships snooping in Indian waters, Mr. Singh said an American survey vessel, USNS Bowditch, had been detected in the Indian Exclusive Zone on November 28, 2000 and a Royal Navy vessel, HMS Scott, in December 2000 and again in January this year. On the Tehelka expose, Mr. Singh informed the House that no FIR had been lodged with the police on the allegations made in its transcripts.

The Justice Venkataswami Commission, would submit its report within four months, he said.

- PTI

Counsel for panel

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