India has scaled a position where it can export missiles and weapon systems and there is a huge potential to sell these armaments to “friendly” countries in a few years from now, says DRDO chief V.K. Saraswat.
Mr Saraswat however said the requirements of the country’s armed forces will have to be met first since the production capacity is limited. “Our technology and the weapon system are competitive. There is tremendous export potential ... But we have to first make sure we have real output in terms of numbers and quality,” Mr Saraswat told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
“Once that happens and once we are satisfied... I think in few years from now India would be in a position to export systems to friendly countries,” Mr Saraswat, who is also scientific adviser to the defence minister said, adding, however exports policy will be restrictive and in areas of country’s interest.
Noting that there was demand from other nations for recently inducted Aakash surface-to-air missiles, Mr Saraswat said, “Since our production capacity today is limited, we have to first meet the requirement of our own armed forces. We are now trying to harness efforts of other industries to meet production requirement.”
Mr Saraswat also said that “the impact of Agni-V launch has given us confidence... We are not dependent on any nation as far as missile technology is concerned. There was a time when missile technology-controlled regimes throttled our progress. But today we are in a position to not only manufacture for ourselves but ready to go from being a purchaser to exporter.”
Emphasising the need for participation by the industry, he said, “Industry is going to participate... If this country has to be self-reliant (in defence equipment) it has to be through development and research work not only in DRDO, but in the industry sector.”