New Delhi: DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat has said that in coming years, most systems for the defence forces will be ‘indigenous’. Speaking to news agency ANI, he said that several systems are now maturing and over the next few years, ‘most of the systems will be indigenous’.
Talking in detail about the ongoing developments in the area, Kamat said that LCA Mk-2 should start getting ready for induction by 2028, reported ANI. He added that the first flight of AMCA phase 1 with the GE F414 engine may happen in seven years but it is likely to be inducted in ten years.
According to ANI, Dr. Kamat said that he won’t be able to give a date for the AMCA phase 2 with a larger engine unless there is a deal for co-development with another OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) in place.
“So, it's dependent on whom we go with the engine,” DRDO chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat added.
He said, “We have been talking to Safran from France, GE from the US and we have also been talking to Rolls-Royce from the UK.”
Kamat told ANI that 414 engine will be used in LCA Mk2 and that discussion is underway with GE while the US government’s clearance is awaited. He said that the matter was discussed during the recent visit of NSA Ajit Doval to the US.
“Hopefully, in the next 3-6 months, the announcement of GE 414 manufacturing will happen and these engines will get made in the country,” ANI quoted the DRDO chairman as saying.