A Parliamentary panel, the Committee on Public Undertakings, pulled up the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the defence ministry over the delays in the gas turbine engine development programme of the HAL and the lack of a clear roadmap for the same.
The programme, which is part of the efforts to advance India's self-reliance in aero-engines, focuses on two key engines: a 25 kN thrust engine for intermediate jet trainers and a turboshaft engine for helicopters, sanctioned at Rs 441.41 crore.
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The panel reportedly highlighted the failure to resolve the gaps in test-bed facilities that are crucial for engine certification and development.
Test-bed facilities are specialised setups used to run an engine on the ground in a controlled way so engineers can measure performance, stresses, and safety margins before the engine ever goes on an aircraft or vehicle.
According to a MoneyControl report, the committee pointed out delays resulting from the failure to secure critical components on time owing to "procurement bottlenecks and delayed approvals for test-bed construction." Land clearance issues too have been causing he delay.
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The defence ministry had clarified that the material research in this regard is being undertaken by the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and MIDHANI under the ministry of defence. Highlighting the complexity of the project, the defence ministry had stated that the critical components for such an engine are being designed and developed for the first time in the country, and there has been a delay from the estimated time in redesigning them.
The committee noted that the ministry's response is interim in nature and the core issue of developing a dedicated test-bed infrastructure remains unresolved. "The committee, therefore, desires that the ministry of defence expedite this analysis and furnish a definitive action plan, with clear timelines and funding arrangements,” the report by the panel said.
The committee urged the defence ministry to take steps to operationalise the test-bed facility to ensure there is no further delay in the gas turbine engine development programme.
