http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2008/ ... 042813.pdf
Report of Standing Committee on Defense from 2008. Interesting snippet from this:
Very idiotic decision, whoever might have enforced that. Seems its no longer in place, as HAL is making HTFE/HTSE (perhaps the result of Navratna status to HAL in 2007 which gave HAL limited autonomy..?? ). But not sure if HAL still has some kind of restriction on going for an engine which will overlap Kaveri.Query:
The Committee note that the Ministry have
admitted during oral evidence that the country
does not have an industrial base for engine
design and also that it takes 15 to 20 years for a
Chief designer to take up the development of an
engine, which is reflective of very slow state of
affair of R&D activities in the country. The
Committee also note the roadmap for engine
development in the country i.e. counting the
indigenous development activities with national
funding as also joining hand with international
design houses as co-development partners. The
Committee strongly feels that the aircraft
industry in the country till date has not made
much progress in engine design and
development so far. The committee further find
it contradictory to note that the capacity
utilisation of the company in engines
development is near to 100 percent over the
past few years which shows that the utilisation
of the capacity is related to only those engines
which are being built under Transfer of
Technology (ToT) from abroad. The Committee
feel that even after spending about 20 years and
a lot of money much needs to be done for
designing an engine. The committee desire that
the matter should be examined and immediate
correction steps be taken
Ans:
Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) was
founded in 1965 to take up the design and
development of aero-engine. Government has
sanctioned the project to develop Kaveri engine for
LCA” to GTRE. While the engine is developed and
prototypes are undergoing test bed evaluation, it is
seen that there are certain shortfalls in its
performance. GTRE is making efforts to resolve the
issues through technical consultancy with an
experienced foreign engine design house.
Subsequent to the formation of GTRE, engine
design in HAL was restricted to design and
development of small engines for PTA, subsystems
of engine, engine starters and engine test beds. All
these programs are being successfully completed
and implemented.
However, to meet the aircraft requirement, HAL has
been manufacturing engines under licence utilising
its full capacity. During the process of manufacture
and overhaul of these engines, HAL has built up
sufficient knowledge of the performance of the
engines and their systems.
DRDO has noted that the Joint development and
manufacture proposed for Kaveri will be comprised
of management and execution team comprising
HAL, GTRE, and an International partner and is a
major step in the direction indicated by the Action
Taken Report. Further organizational structure will
be derived from this effort.
OK, the answer is in next part.
Query:
The Committee feel that achieving self
sufficiency in engine development is an
imperative need and for that a robust industrial
base for engine design needs to be created so as
to overcome the dependence on foreign supplier
and address the requirements of the Armed
Forces. The Committee also desire that HAL
should explore the possibility of entering into
the joint venture/ collaboration with indigenous
private companies / foreign companies which
have proven competence and capability in
design and development of Aircraft engines so
that indigenous engines are available to power
the aircraft built by HAL. The committee would
like to be apprised of the progress made by the
HAL in this regard.
Ans:
As recommended by the Committee there is a need
to develop a robust industrial base for engine design
and production. A formal working arrangement
between HAL and GTRE could be established to
synergise the design capabilities of GTRE and
production & maintenance capabilities of HAL.
As per DRDO, the Action Taken through the
proposed joint venture for Kaveri intended to
establish a strong design and development base.
There is currently no market for a smaller engine
since HAL has already contracted for the IJT.
However, HAL’s view is that the Complete
development of a smaller engine than Kaveri could
be initiated with Government funding for mastering
the engine design and development technology
base in the country. Subsequently, transition to
design and development of larger engines could be
made easily with the design and technology base
developed.
Further, to meet the aircraft requirement, HAL has
been manufacturing engines under license utilising
its full capacity. During the process of manufacture
and overhaul of these engines, HAL has built up
sufficient knowledge of the performance of the
engines and their systems.