Audit Reports
Defence
Report No. 17 of 2015 - Performace Audit on Design, Development, Manufacture and Induction of Light Combat Aircraft of Union Government, Defence Services - Air Force
Overview
Indian Air Force (IAF) was operating MIG-21 series of aircraft manufactured during 1966 to 1987 and majority of these aircraft were expected to be phased out in the 1990s, thereby resulting in significant fall in combat level of IAF. Thus, IAF mooted the proposal (early 1980s) for a replacement aircraft for MIG-21 fleet. It was against this backdrop that the indigenous design and development of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was sanctioned (1983). Government of India constituted (June 1984) Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bangalore, a society registered (June 1984) under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 under the Ministry of Defence, as a dedicated institution for the management of LCA project.
IAF had issued Air Staff Requirement (ASR) in Oct 1985 with a projected requirement of 220 Light Combat Aircraft (200 Fighters + 20 Trainers) to be inducted by 1994. As per the ASR, Light Combat Aircraft is required to be built as a light weight multi-mission fighter aircraft, having contemporary air combat and offensive air support capabilities with excellent maneuverability for close air combat at low and medium altitudes. The aircraft should be able to provide extended Air Defence cover over the forward bases and tactical battle area.
The LCA management structure consists of the General Body (chaired by the Defence Minister) responsible for taking decisions on the scientific and technical activities of ADA and the Governing Body (chaired by the Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri) for effective monitoring of its aims and objectives, apart from Technical committee (chaired by Director General, ADA) and LCA Programme Management Committee (chaired by Programme Director, ADA), which are responsible for the progress of the design and development of the LCA.