The Defence Research and Development Organisation is setting up a new missile launch site in Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh at an estimated investment of Rs 1,000 crore.
The defence organisation currently has launch facilities at the Chandipur and Wheeler Island locations in Balasore in Odisha, from where the long-range Agni series of missiles as well as the Prithvi and other shorter range missiles are test-fired.
"We have asked the Government of Andhra Pradesh to give us 260 acres of land to develop the facility. It will take a maximum of three years to be operationalised," said V.K. Saraswat, Director-General of the defence organisation and Scientific Adviser to the Raksha Mantri.
He told newspersons here today that the Machilipatnam facility would complement the test range in Balasore. It would help in longer range missile launches as well as in carrying out tests for the Ballistic Missile Defence Shied wherein multiple missiles need to be launched for trials, the scientific adviser explained.
Asked about the energy and security issues raised by the Ministry of Petroleum on oil and gas exploration activity in areas neighbouring Machilipatnam on the East Coast, Saraswat said "they have been amicably sorted out". "We are working with the State Government to firm up land acquisition," he added.
[TheHinduBusinessline]
Business Line : News : DRDO developing missile launch site in Machilipatnam
The defence organisation currently has launch facilities at the Chandipur and Wheeler Island locations in Balasore in Odisha, from where the long-range Agni series of missiles as well as the Prithvi and other shorter range missiles are test-fired.
"We have asked the Government of Andhra Pradesh to give us 260 acres of land to develop the facility. It will take a maximum of three years to be operationalised," said V.K. Saraswat, Director-General of the defence organisation and Scientific Adviser to the Raksha Mantri.
He told newspersons here today that the Machilipatnam facility would complement the test range in Balasore. It would help in longer range missile launches as well as in carrying out tests for the Ballistic Missile Defence Shied wherein multiple missiles need to be launched for trials, the scientific adviser explained.
Asked about the energy and security issues raised by the Ministry of Petroleum on oil and gas exploration activity in areas neighbouring Machilipatnam on the East Coast, Saraswat said "they have been amicably sorted out". "We are working with the State Government to firm up land acquisition," he added.
[TheHinduBusinessline]
Business Line : News : DRDO developing missile launch site in Machilipatnam
