HYDERABAD: Calling it a historic event, defence minister Arun Jaitley handed over the long- range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) to the Indian Navy at an event held in the city on Sunday.
Congratulating Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Midhani and DRDO which have, in association with Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI), manufactured the LRSAM, the minister said preparedness is the best defence considering the current geopolitical situation. “As part of our preparedness, we have to equip our forces with all the support systems they require,” he said.
The first batch of LRSAM, being inducted into the Navy, was symbolically handed over to Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, the vice-chief of naval staff. Two more versions of the missile for the Army and the Air Force are also being developed. Production of the the-state-of-the-art missile was initiated in 2006 and the missile has been integrated on INS Kolkata and INS Kochi.
The defence minister, who visited the defence public sector undertakings in Karnataka and Telangana in the last two days, said that he was impressed and was a lot more confident now than he was 48 hours ago. “I have a great sense of satisfaction after visiting each of the PSUs, and BDL and Midhani. Considering the harsh reality of today’s modern world and in the present geopolitical situation, one has to be prepared. As part of our preparedness, we have to equip our forces with all the support systems they require. This is also aiding the Make in India programme,” he said.
PRIVATE SECTOR
“The time is right now for Indians to invest in manufacturing in the country itself. We have a surplus of great minds that can go and serve globally. The number of companies which have shifted their base to India is proof of that, especially in the area of research and development. Investing in the national defence system is a priority,” he declared, adding, “ “Though we have been dependent on public sector investment, we will be opening up opportunities for private investment.”
Jaitley went on: “Under the strategic partnership policy, we are inviting investment from the private sector and also from Indians and their foreign business partners. In the long run, we want the country to become self-sufficient and indigenous and even become a supplier to ‘friendly’ countries in the world.”
The minister also inaugurated a Rs 48-crore rocket motor static test facility at BDL’s Ibrahimpatnam Complex, laid the foundation stone for the second-hase construction of facilities at the same unit which is a `522 crore investment by BDL, inaugurated the Astra weapon system production unit and a 5 MW solar photovoltaic power project.