Rs 18,000 crore required for 'Hyper Plane' project : Saraswat

Hyderabad, Jun 18 (UNI) Aeronautical Society of India (ASI) Chairman Dr VK Saraswat today said Rs 15,000 to 18000 crore were required to set up the huge testing facility systems for the 'Hyper plane project'.

Talking to newspersons here, Dr Saraswat said the DRDO had invited partners from government, private, industry and academic institutions to complete the project which required more technology in production systems and development.

Stating that the solid rocket assisted Scramjet engine, a test vehicle for Hyper Plane, would be tested by 2009 which was under technological development stage in DRDO , he said the test vehicle would fly at an altitude of 15 to 30 km.

The Khelkar committee had recommended that the participation of private industries was inevitable in defence systems production, Mr Saraswat said.

The country has a big market in 'Aerostats and Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAVs) production at small and medium scale industry level, he said.

Stating that defence production will have a level playing field in private sector, he announced the formation of 'Hyderabad Aerospace manufacturer Association' which would meet the goals and build a potential aerospace industry in the city in future.

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