Friendly countries keen on India’s surface to air missile
The Cabinet has approved the export of Akash Missile System under a “Committee for faster Approval of Exports” of the surface to air missile with a range of 25-km which has drawn interests from several countries.
The approval, given on 30 Dec 2020, will facilitate Indian manufactures to participate in RFI/RFP issued by various countries.
The missile, manufactured with over 96% indigenization, was inducted in 2014 in Indian Armed Forces (IAF) and in 2015 in Indian Army.
Many countries have shown interests in Akash missile during International Exhibitions, Def-Expo and Aero India, said the Defence Ministry.
The export version of Akash will be different from System currently deployed with Indian Armed Forces, added the Ministry.
Besides Akash, there is interest coming in other major platforms like Coastal Surveillance System, Radars and Air platforms. To provide faster approvals for export of such platforms, a Committee comprising of Defence Minister, External Affairs Minister and National Security Advisor has been created. This Committee would authorise subsequent exports of major indigenous platforms to various countries. The Committee would also explore various available options including the Government-to-Government route.
The Government intends to focus on exporting high-value defence platforms, to achieve target of US$5 billion defence export and improve strategic relations with friendly foreign countries.
So far, Indian defence exports included parts/components etc. The export of big platforms was minimal. This initiative of the Cabinet would help the country to improve its defence products and make them globally competitive. #makeinIndia #defence #manufacturing #exports /fiinews.com
