Parrikar said HAL has been asked to outsource in "large

quantity" several production areas in various sectors.

"For example, for the LCA model we are putting up a second (production) line for which Rs 359 crore has been approved by the government. It is expected this work will start in three months.

"In about one-and-a-half years the actual production will start. A lot of indigenous capability has to be developed through the local industry," the defence minister said.

With the navy disapproving of the present variant of LCA Tejas, Parrikar said it would be wrong to say the navy does not support the project. Instead, its requirements are different, he said.

"The project is thoroughly supported by the navy and all expenses are being undertaken. The LCA expansion (project) for eight aircraft has financial components coming from the navy and the air force.

"What the navy wants is a different variety and it thinks that a twin-engine one would be a better version. The LCA naval version has to be successfully tested," Parrikar said, adding that the navy has agreed to help in the project.

"The naval requirement has a different aspect and requires an engine with bigger thrust," he said.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)