India Tries To Get Handle On Defense Program Delays

FUNDING & POLICY NEWS
May 6, 2010
DELHI — Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony says the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is working to expedite its numerous delayed programs.
DRDO will use a consortium approach for design, development and fabrication of critical components, Project Monitoring Reviews and joint funding by the military services to try to overcome delays, Antony said.
Some of the many DRDO projects that have missed their original timelines include:
• The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Full Scale Engineering Development (FSED) Program – Phase II was approved in 2001 and overshot its budget by almost 100%. It was to be completed by 2008; the latest probable completion date is 2012.
• The Full Scale Engineering Development Program for the Naval Light Combat Aircraft (LCA-Navy) also overshot its budget and timeline by four years, from 2010 to 2014.
• The Interception, Monitoring, Direction Finding and Analysis System (IMDFAS) – Divyadrishti. Started in 2002, it was to be completed in 2008. The new date for completion is 2010.
• The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), begun in 1983, was to be completed by 1995. The revised date is 2010.
• The Kaveri Engine for LCA was approved in 1989 with a completion date of 1996. The latest schedule is 2010.
Reasons cited by Antony for delays and cost escalation include technical/technological complexities; sanctions
imposed …. increase in scope of work in terms of creation of more infrastructure, test facilities and their maintenance; change/enhancement in user requirements during development; deviations/failures during testing; [and] extended and long-drawn user trials.”
- Neelam Mathews (mathews.neelam@gmail.com)