Antony impatient to see completion of LCA project

In his address, the Defence Minister urged both private and public sector to shed their "miserly attitude" and increase their allocation for research and development in

their companies.

"I am not satisfied with the investment in R&D in government also. The private sector is very very poor in R&D sector," he said.

Antony said to continue the momentum of rising GDP and growing economy, the Indian industry will have to match up with global standards and for that investment in R&D will have to be increased.

He warned the Indian industry that "era of cheap labour and cheap access to natural resources" is going to be over soon and the only way they could be able to match up with the global industry would be through increased efficiency.

Commenting on a future project to replace 56 Avro aircraft in the IAF, Antony said the Government has tried to give more role to the private sector despite HAL being "little unhappy and little angry" over it.

"We are giving more space to the private industry. Even though HAL is little unhappy and little angry, it has agreed to give chance to Indian private sector for the Avro

replacement programme, it is a beginning," he said.

The Minister said if the programme succeeds, it will create rivals for the HAL, which so far does not have any competition.

"They will also see competition. I want some rivals for HAL. That is how HAL would become world-class company," he said.

Under the Avro replacement project, the IAF is planning to issue a global tender next month under which Indian private sector companies would be allowed to form joint ventures with foreign companies to produce transport aircraft.

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