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Malaysia has shown keen interest in Akash: Antony
Thursday January 10 2008 00:00 IST
NEW DELHI: Within a few days of India testing its indigenous air defence system Akash, the successful trials have generated curiosity in the region.
The first queries about the effectiveness of the system came from Malaysia. Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday said that the Malaysians were closely following the trials of Akash and have shown keen interest in the surface-to-air missile.
Antony, who was in Malaysia earlier this week, said that the Ministry of Defence will look positively into any proposal of sharing the technology with friendly countries. The officials will now follow up on the proposal from Malaysia, he said.
The Defence Minister, who inaugurated the Defence Research and Development Organisations golden jubilee celebrations, stressed on indigenous development of strategic programmes. "Nobody will give us strategic technology," he said, adding that the DRDOs role becomes crucial in developing stragtegic technologies.
He said that the thrust is on aggressive indigenisation of weapon systems but at the same time in certain specialised areas help of the industry can be taken. But defence scientists said that while indigenisation would be key to the strategic programmes, the DRDO will encourage foreign collaborations on other projects.
For instance, DRDO is looking for foreign partners to enhance the capability of Kaveri jet engine which will be used in Light Combat Aircraft. The Kaveri project has been going on for several years. DRDO chief M.Natrajan on Wednesday said that it is progressing well. But as the requirements for LCA have grown, the DRDO is looking for foreign collaborators. A technical evaluation committee will go through the process and sign up the agreement, he said. The DRDO is hoping that the engine would be ready by 2011.
The Akash missile system, which will be inducted into the Indian Air Force, will provide air defence cover for key installations like nuclear power plants, harbours, ports and airports. The air defence system can track and destroy enemy fighter aircraft, sub-sonic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at a height of 25 km.
The Indian scientists have claimed that the Akash system is on par with platforms offered by other countries like the US in terms of performance and price. The decision to pass on the system to foreign countries will be taken at the highest level even as the MoD has been positive about the move.
Malaysia has shown keen interest in Akash: Antony - Newindpress.com
Thursday January 10 2008 00:00 IST
NEW DELHI: Within a few days of India testing its indigenous air defence system Akash, the successful trials have generated curiosity in the region.
The first queries about the effectiveness of the system came from Malaysia. Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday said that the Malaysians were closely following the trials of Akash and have shown keen interest in the surface-to-air missile.
Antony, who was in Malaysia earlier this week, said that the Ministry of Defence will look positively into any proposal of sharing the technology with friendly countries. The officials will now follow up on the proposal from Malaysia, he said.
The Defence Minister, who inaugurated the Defence Research and Development Organisations golden jubilee celebrations, stressed on indigenous development of strategic programmes. "Nobody will give us strategic technology," he said, adding that the DRDOs role becomes crucial in developing stragtegic technologies.
He said that the thrust is on aggressive indigenisation of weapon systems but at the same time in certain specialised areas help of the industry can be taken. But defence scientists said that while indigenisation would be key to the strategic programmes, the DRDO will encourage foreign collaborations on other projects.
For instance, DRDO is looking for foreign partners to enhance the capability of Kaveri jet engine which will be used in Light Combat Aircraft. The Kaveri project has been going on for several years. DRDO chief M.Natrajan on Wednesday said that it is progressing well. But as the requirements for LCA have grown, the DRDO is looking for foreign collaborators. A technical evaluation committee will go through the process and sign up the agreement, he said. The DRDO is hoping that the engine would be ready by 2011.
The Akash missile system, which will be inducted into the Indian Air Force, will provide air defence cover for key installations like nuclear power plants, harbours, ports and airports. The air defence system can track and destroy enemy fighter aircraft, sub-sonic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at a height of 25 km.
The Indian scientists have claimed that the Akash system is on par with platforms offered by other countries like the US in terms of performance and price. The decision to pass on the system to foreign countries will be taken at the highest level even as the MoD has been positive about the move.
Malaysia has shown keen interest in Akash: Antony - Newindpress.com