Commodore CD Balaji (Retd), Project Director, Light Combat Aircraft (Navy) has been appointed as the Director of Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADA) and Programme Director of LCA. He succeeds PS Subramanyam who was retired on June 30′ 2015.

Balaji joined the Indian Navy in September 1978 in the Engineering Branch. He has specialized in the Naval Aviation Arm. He joined ADA on deputation in 2002 involved with the first time development of a Naval version of the LCA (Navy). As a Project Director LCA (Navy), he has been responsible for the maiden flight of the first Naval variant of LCA (NP1) on April 27, 2012 followed by the maiden ski jump launch.  From December 1, 2006, he left the Navy and moved on permanent absorption to ADA.