Question : Pilotless Target Aircraft

(a) whether the Government has approved a proposal of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for Transfer of Technology (ToT) for commercial production of its Lakshya, Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA), to a private sector defence manufacturer;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed in this regard;

(d) if so, the details and salient features thereof along with the names of countries which have shown interest in purchase of Lakshya; and

(e) the time by which the commercial production of Lakshya is likely to be started?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

(a) to (c): Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) has been signed between Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Laboratory and Larsen & Tubro (L&T) Ltd., Mumbai for upgraded digital version of Lakshya.

(d) This is agreement for non-exclusive production and supply to Indian Armed Forces. However, as per serial No. 7.2 of LAToT with L&T, “For enquiries received from abroad for the product, L&T shall seek prior approval of DRDO in writing indicating the country to which such export is sought. The grant of license for export of product shall be subject to Government approvals and there may be additional licensing fees and royalty rates applicable and shall be decided by DRDO on case to case basis.” So far, ADE has not received any such request from L&T.

(e) First delivery can be done within Eighteen months after the placement of orders from Users.

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