LOK SABHA
The attention of
the Government has been drawn to the news-item captioned, "Auto
Pilot System : Indian Air Force upgradation projection hangs
fire" appearing in the Indian Express dated Feb 05, 2003.
Report No. 8 of
2002 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has
pointed out delay in procurement of Auto Pilot System.
A contract was
signed for procurement of a suitable Auto Pilot system in 1999.
This could not be implemented in practical terms due to non-availability
of adequate space for the Auto Pilot Electronic Unit (APEU)
in the aircraft. Suitable reconfiguration and certification
by the Original Equipment Manufacturer is required for the installation
of the APEU. The price negotiation for the procurement of Auto
Pilot has been concluded and a supplement to the previous contract
will be signed shortly.
In regard to the
Jaguar upgradation programme, the price negotiation has been
completed and Government has approved the upgradation programme
by Hindustan Aeronautic Limited at the negotiated cost. Action
is being taken to negotiate and conclude the contract with HAL.
This information
was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a
written reply to Shri Raghunath Jha and Shri Sultan Salahuddin
Owaisi in Lok Sabha today.
