re: New BrahMos Cruise Missile: Range 500kms
Fully indigenous BrahMos missile to be rolled out in three years
KOCHI: A fully indigenous BrahMos missile will be rolled out in three years, according to A Sivthanu Pillai, CMD of the Indo-Russian joint venture company.
"We currently use fully indigenous steel for the missile. Now we are trying to undertake the integration part also at BrahMos," Pillai told reporters here.
"Efforts to make the missile engine at BrahMos will also be realized in three years. However, the explosive components of the missiles will be sourced from outside as we cannot handle explosives in our unit," he said.
Pillai said negotiations are on with the state government on the price of the land to be acquired for expanding the BrahMos unit in Thiruvananthapuram.
Earlier, addressing the inaugural session at NAMEXPO, Pillai suggested that India set up a military-industry complex which would facilitate the efforts of the country's industry to tap the huge emerging potential in the defence sector.
According to him, as per government policy, many of the international purchases have 30% to 50% offset-obligations. This meant the Indian industry should be allowed to make 30% to 50% of the equipment to be imported, through coproduction, sub-contracting, transfer of technology and other similar modes.
Considering that the Indian defence sector is set to become a $150-billion enterprise in 20 years, huge opportunities lie before the country's industry, Pillai said.
Southern Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Satish Soni, said the importance of strengthening the indigenization efforts is obvious from the steps taken by the government to amend the defence purchase policy.
Soni said that if defence corporates want to be global competitors, they must be ready to invest in research and development.
Ports minister K Babu inaugurated the Namexpo, which is being organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry in collaboration with the Indian Navy, the ministries of shipping and earth sciences and the Kerala government.
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