Learn from Agni III mistakes: Pranab to scientists

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today urged the scientists not to feel disheartend by the ''partial success'' of Agni III Missile that crashed into the Bay of Bangal following a technical snag, but draw correct lessons from it.

''In a scientific experiment of this nature, there is nothing to feel disheartened about setbacks as sometimes one has to be confronted with failure before achieving success,'' Mr Mukherjee told a meeting of the consultative committee attached to his Ministry, which was also attended by DRDO scientists.

He said the first part of the launch was successful while in the second part there appeared to be a technical snag following which the missile fell into the sea.

''The actual cause of the snag will be known after analysis of the detailed data obtained by DRDO,'' he said and added: ''We have to draw the correct lessons from the partial success of the test launch of the Agni III Missile last Sunday.'' He complimented the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for making significant achievements in several high-tech areas despite various constraints of denials and sanctions imposed by the technologically advanced countries.

Listing some of the achievements of DRDO, he said it had developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), 'Tejas'. Its two prototype vehicles and two technology demonstrators had successfully completed 543 test flights and the development of Naval version of LCA was also in progress.

''The first squadron of Tejas will fly with GE engine while the later aircraft will be fitted with the indigenously developed Kaveri Engine.'' The Defence Minister said the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-- Nishant-- and Pilot-less Target Aircraft-- Lakshya-- had been ordered by the Armed Forces.

''The Army has evaluated the Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun and cleared it. Production hiccups have been overcome and first lot of production is in progress,'' he said.

Cutting across party lines, the members complimented DRDO for its vision, mission and contributions to national security.

They, however, expressed concern over cost over-runs and delay in the implementation of projects such as LCA and MBT.

Some members also felt DRDO should carry out an introspective review of its role in the context of contemporary global situation and redefine its strategy for future.

Earlier, DRDO Secretary M Natarajan and Project Heads gave a presentation on the organisation, outlining its projects.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh.

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