Lok Sabha Question No. 2940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-02
Subject: Deficiency in Critical Aerospace Technology
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, DHARMENDRA YADAV, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2940

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2016

## DEFICIENCY IN CRITICAL AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY

2940.  SHRI  RAHUL SHEWALE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI SHRIRANGAPPA BARNE:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether deficiency  in  critical  aerospace  technology  came  to  the  fore  when  Gas Turbine  Research  Establishment  (GTRE)  made  Kaveri  engine  could  not  propel  the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to the skies and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there is a need to be self reliant in critical aerospace technology and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  a  dedicated  research  facility  that would focus on critical component needs for propulsion in aerospace sector;
- (d) if so, the details thereof  and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (e) whether  the  Government  seeks  participation  of  Indian  Institutes  of  Technology and  other  institutions  in  defence  manufacturing  to  decrease  dependence  on  foreign technology; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the success achieved in this regard so far?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

- (a) Kaveri engine development was an indigenous effort of Gas Turbine Research  Establishment  (GTRE)  for  mastering  one  of  the  most  complex technologies.    Altitude  Testing  and  Flying  Test  Bed  trials  have  been completed which are major milestones in any gas turbine engine development.  The other development problems are addressed to make the engine  flight  worthy  through  indigenous  as  well  with  assistance  from abroad Engine Houses.

(b) Yes,  Madam.    All  efforts  have  been  made  by  Ministry  of  Defence (MoD), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Defence public  Sector  Undertakings (DPSUs)  & Ordnance  Factory Board  (OFB) to achieve  self-reliance  in  critical  technologies.  The  self-reliance  has  to spread  across  design,  materials,  manufacturing,  testing  and  certification aspects of aero-engine and considerable progress has been made towards the same through the Kaveri engine development programme.

(c) & (d): The  following  DRDO  laboratories  are  fully  dedicated  towards aeronautical research.

- > Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) -Morphing Aircraft Technologies.
- > Aeronautical  Development  Agency  (ADA)  -  Aircraft  Design  & Development.
- > Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) - Gas Turbine Aero Engines.
- > Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) -Hypersonic Propulsion.
- > Advanced System Laboratory (ASL) -Solid Propellant Combustion Modelling.
- > Centre  for  Airborne  System  (CABS)  -  Design  &  Development  of Airborne Surveillance System.

A  dedicated  programme  on  'Gas  Turbine  Enabling  Technology (GATET) has also been sanctioned by DRDO at a cost of Rs. 78 Crore to facilitate academia and research institutions to carry out R&D  in aerospace sector.

(e) & (f): DRDO has made all efforts  to  augment  aerospace technology capability of the country  with  dedicated  research  facilities  at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), located at Mumbai and Chennai by creating 'Centre of  Propulsion  Technology (COPT)'; and also at Indian Institute of Science  (IISc) through  'National  Centre  for  Combustion  Research  & Development' (NCCRD).

Though  the  manufacturing  is  not  the  mandate  of  DRDO,  however, research pertaining to various areas of manufacturing technology such as machining, metal forming, metal joining, etc. are being pursued in recent times through academia and R&D establishments and these are progressing  well.    Moreover,  DRDO  has  involved  academia  and  private industries right from the inception of project.

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