Question : PURCHASE OF PILOTLESS AIRCRAFT FROM ISRAEL

(a) whether the Government propose to purchase Hermes-450s and the Searcher III models pilotless planes from Israel;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with other bilateral defence and security agreements reached between both the countries recently;

(c) whether demonstration flights have since been carried out of these planes;

(d) if so, the results thereof;

(e) whether development of the indigenous “Lakshya and Nishant” pilotless target Aircraft has been running behind schedule;

(f) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(g) the time by which the project is likely to be completed?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) No, Sir.

(b) to (d): Do not arise.

(e) ‘Lakshya’-(Pilotless Target Aircraft):The development project has already been completed successfully.

‘Nishant’ – The development program has suffered some delays.

(f) & (g): The main reasons for the delay of Nishant Project are technological problems associated with indigenous developments. The project is now expected to be completed in 2001.