Govt plans policy framework for missile exports

HYDERABAD: Many countries have expressed interest in acquiring missiles developed by India and efforts would soon be made on laying down a policy framework to tap this export potential, according to Scientific Adviser to the Defense Minister Avinash Chander.
The export of missiles is a new area that India is exploring, Chander, who is also Director General of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), said even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pitched for making the country self-reliant in manufacturing of defense products and even capable of exports in the sector.
“The new government is also keen on building up the export potential (of defense products). There has been lot of interest shown by many countries on our missiles,” he said delivering an invited talk at the Aerospace Luminary Lecture Series, organized by Aeronautical Society of India, Hyderabad, late last evening.
Speaking on board India’s largest aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, Modi had said, “Not only should we become self-reliant, we also should provide them (defense equipment) to small countries. The small countries should feel secure that they have India-produced defense equipment.”
“We have to lay down policy norms and methodologies how to work out (tap export potential of missiles),” said Chander, who also interacted with reporters.
“We are confident we will be soon working on this,” he said.
India’s Akash and Prahaar missiles can be easily exported, as also BrahMos (developed in a joint venture with Russians) for which a lot of countries have shown interest, he said.
“Our future missiles that we are developing…that will have lot of (export) potential,” he pointed out.
DRDO is working on a program to extend the range of surface-air missile beyond 200 kms, Chander said.
“We need to have ship-launched, sea-launched, air-launched, submarine-launched cruise missiles. India needs supersonic air-launched cruise missiles. India needs hypersonic transportation systems and these are the various segments in which we are operating (working on),” he said.
“Of course, we are working on anti-radiation missiles,” he said. -PTI