‘Agni boosted missile technology’

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India’s ability to develop missile technology indigenously has reached new heights with the development of Agni series of missiles, said Dr Tessy Thomas, director of the Agni-V programme at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Dr Thomas was attending a function organised by Union minister of state for power, K.C. Venugopal, in Alappuzha on Friday.

She told DC, “Indian defence research has proved its mettle developing missiles indigenously. Agni-V is an explicit example of Indian indigenous technology.”

“Agni-V has to undergo further tests to integrate with the military. The first stage has been completed with the successful launching on April 14. It has to undergo two more tests for the final certification.”

With the successful launching of the Agni series, developed countries and neighbouring nations have started to keep a close eye on our technology and achievements, she said.

No developed country barring Russia has taken the initiative for a joint discussion on defence research with India.

India’s latest achievements will help to raise our standing in international forums and that may pave the way for more support from developed nations, she said.

Dr Thomas, who joined DRDO in 1988, is one of a small number of Indian women defence scientists, though she says the numbers are growing.

Only five percent of the scientists at DRDO were women when she joined, and today 20 per cent of the scientists are women, she says. More women with great capabilities have shown interest in working in defence research.

“This is the time technologically. So the new generation has a big role to play in the field of defence research,” said the 49-year-old scientist.

Dr Thomas also said that no new mission has been declared.