New Delhi, Nov 24: Defence Minister George Fernandes, for the first time, today expressed concern that prolonged delay in induction orders by the three services, could jeopardise the country's ambitious frontline weapons programme like light combat aircraft and advance light helicopter. Cautioning that "prolonged indecision" by the army had already brought the country's Arjun main battle tank project into an uncertain phase, he told the services that they had to take decisions fast or otherwise the vital strides gained by India in such technology had the danger of being overcome by obsolescence.

Speaking after giving away the national awards for excellence in indigenisation of defence stores, he went to the extent of hinting that army was dragging its feet on the order for the Arjun tank. "We are undecided whether to go in for user trials or not," the defence minister said, adding similar was the case with country's indigenous showcase advance light helicopters for which he said adequate orders were not forthcoming from the services.

He said there was a similar danger overtaking the LCA project, which at present was on schedule. If orders for such projects were not forthcoming from within the country, then how could India hope to capture export markets, he asked.

Bureau Report