Minister wants Hypersonic Missile technology
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for the development of Hypersonic Missiles technology to enhance defence capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
He also stressed that Indigenization of defence equipment will be encouraged to the maximum possible extent and such equipment will be imported only when it cannot be manufactured by the Indian industry.
The defence sector will also play a key role in making the country a US$5 trillion economy through FDI and offset investments in manufacturing, he stressed.
The defence exports will reach to a significant level by 2025, hoped Singh during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad on 3 August 2019.
Singh said BDL is an important defence organisation and with organizations like DRDO and ISRO have has enhanced the prestige of the country through its achievements,
Singh appreciated BDL for manufacturing more than one lakh missiles in the last 50 years.
He also reiterated that defence policy of the country is for peace and stability at regional, continental and global level.
He unveiled a statue of former President and Bharat Ratna Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to commemorate his legendary vision.
The brainchild of Dr Kalam, Integrated Guided Missile Development (IGMD) Programme that was launched during late 80s, gave BDL plenty of opportunities to develop its skilled manpower and invest in high-end technology areas to manufacture the missiles contemplated under this Programme.
The Minister also visited the state-of-the-art production facilities at Kanchanbagh Unit of the Company. He also released a commemorative stamp on BDL on the occasion.
Singh handed over Medium Range Surface-to-Air-Missile (MR SAM) to Indian Air Force in the function. Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal R K S Bhadauria received MR SAM on behalf of the IAF.
He also inaugurated the Rain-Water Harvesting facility named as ‘JalNidhi’ at the upcoming Unit of BDL at Ibrahimpatnam as a part of Jal Shakti Abhiyan of the Government of India. This is expected to help in meeting storage of 24 Lakh litre of water and increasing the level of underground water levels. fiinews.com
