New Delhi, Nov 6 : Defence Minister A. K. Antony has asked defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to be more competitive and modernize with the changing times.

Addressing the meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to his ministry held in New Delhi today, the Minister expressed the hope that with vast experience behind it, there is no doubt that the company will rise to the occasion in meeting the future needs of the services.

New Delhi, Nov 1 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met the chiefs of the three wings of the defence service - the Army, the Navy and the Air Force – in New Delhi on Saturday.

Dr. Singh and Defence Minister A. K. Antony met Navy Chief, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Fali H. Major, Chief of India''s Air Force and Deepak Kapoor, Chief of the Army Staff.

The chiefs met to review and to address matters of national security on the day of the combined Commanders'' Conference.

New Delhi, Oct 31: Defence Minister A K Antony today asked the top brass of the Indian Navy to be sensitized about the condition of Personnel Below Officer Ranks (PBORs) and take care of them ensuring human dignity.

Addressing the Naval Senior Officers'' Conference here, Antony said, "While the government is committed to the welfare of our Armed Forces, unless senior officers of the Navy are sensitised about the condition of the PBORs, no Force can progress. The human dignity and individuals have to be respected. The onus is on the senior officers to take care of the PBORs."

Bangalore, Oct 25 : Defence Minister A K Antony today said that the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project is very much on track and there was no question of abandoning the programme, which would be completed by 2011.

“I can tell you with all confidence by end of 2010, the LCA is expected to get its full operational clearance and by 2011, I am sure IAF will be able to get the first delivery of the aircraft,” Antony told reporters, after reviewing the performance of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

New Delhi, Oct 25: Defence Minister AK Antony on Saturday admitted that there were problems related to the air surveillance coverage by the Air Force due to a shortage of radars.

He also acknowledged the shortage of submarines in the Navy.

Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Antony acknowledged that the problem of radar coverage exists in the IAF because of failure on the part of the government to provide necessary equipment to the forces.

Bangalore, Oct 25 : Union Defence Minister A K Antony today said that the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) would be delivered to the Indian Air Force by 2011.

Talking to media during his visit at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Antony said, "The final operational clearances for the indigenously developed aircraft will be given by 
2010."

Antony, who also witnessed an air show in which latest aircraft including LCA, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and SARAS showed their capabilities and strength, said that LCA and ALH ''Dhruv'' would be the prized induction in Air Force.