'Raksha Udyog Ratna' to develop major defence platform: Antony

Bangalore, Feb 7: The Union Government will identify Raksha Udyog Ratna to develop major defence platform to act as integrators of large weapon system, Defence Minister A K Antony said today.

Speaking after inaugurating the Aero India 2007 here, he said that a Committee has been set up to identify Raksha Udyog Ratnas.

He said that the government had taken several steps to upgrade the country's technological capabilities both in public and private sector to manufacture superior items.

Defending the Offset Clause introduced last year in Defence Procurement Procedure, he said that it would not only introduce greater transparency in procurement but also accelerate the process of capital acquisition to ensure that the Forces get the best equipment.

The Offset Clause was also expected to provide a boost to the Defence industry not only in production but also in the fields of Research and Development, Designing, Quality Control, Software and other related activities. '' We believe that offset clause would have a favorable impact and will lead to all round growth of Defence.

industry'', he added.

He urged the private sector to maintain a close relationship with Armed Forces and DRDO. Air Shows suggested an opportunity to workout strategic and long term relationship between Indian and Foreign Defence Industries on a long term and sustainable basis.

Mr Antony said India was poised for a quantum jump both in terms of economy and military following the high level of economic growth and steps were initiated to utilise all capabilities of the industry for development of defence products. Referring to opening up of the Defence Sector to enable industries to participate in producing Defence items under license and permitting Foreign Direct Investment with a cap of 26 per cent in equity, he said that they were aimed to enable India take a quantum jump.

Mr Antony said that India was gearing up to play a more dominant role in the 21st century not only in Asia but also in the World.

''The challenges are two fold--first our national strategy must keep our territorial sovereignty and integrity secure. Second it must provide the stimulus, with an adequate supply of energy to help the economy to develop at a rapid pace'' he added.

The Defence Minister said that maintaining world stability through pace and imparting strength to the economy, without compromising on the nation's interest were indeed factors that should guide the overall strategic thinking of the country.

Referring to the challenges faced in modernising the armed forces, he said the government was in the process of acquiring fresh capabilities for all the three wings of the Armed Forces to optimise their operational effectiveness. Today, at the Aeroshow, the capabilities in the aerospace sector were on display, he added.

Mr Antony said that ''our vision for the Defence Sector is to make it globally competitive and the best in business. At the same time we want to ensure self reliance in our defence preparedness. our industry has diversified and developing competencies with the setting up of modern plant and machinery. It is now upgrading its platforms and lay special emphasis on exports.'' He said that India was firmly and fully committed towards maintenance of peace and stability with the neighbours. In the global context it wished to achieve the objective through effective diplomacy backed by credible military deterence. ''We have initiated a number of confidence building measures with our neighbours'' he said adding that the country had always been following a policy of peaceful coexistence and were opposed to any form of violence on any pretext.

On the nuclear front, he said that India always adhered to the principle of peaceful use of nuclear energy 'though India was not a signatory to the NPT, we have always followed the principles associated with the treaty in the right spirit. The recent Indo-US Nuclear Energy Agreement clearly reflected that India will use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, in his speech, said that his government was keen to provide all encouragement to the growth of the aerospace industry in Bangalore, which is already a aerospace hub. In this connection he pointed out that the state was all set to promote a Special Economic Zone for the industry at about 1000 acres of land close to the green field Devanahalli international airport. He urged the participating aviation companies to benefit from the new policy and set up their units in the SEZ.

He said apart from renovating existing four airports, the state was also keen to promote six green field airports. He also wanted the Defence Minister to allow the Karwar Naval air base to be used for civil aviation purpose as had been done in Bidar.

The Defence Minister in response assured that the Centre would do everything to help Karnataka in its growth.

Secretary for Defence production K P Singh expressed that the show had received an overwhelming response with more than 500 exhibitors including 300 from overseas. Air Chiefs from 28 countries and 15 foreign delegations were also present. The inaugural was marked by a spectacular air display by both Indian Air Force aircraft and F16, Gripen, Lancer, MIG35 and F18 aircraft. Two indigenously manufactured fly by wire Light Combat Aircraft received a thunderous applause in an event. Surya Kiran and the Sarang aerobatic teams also received standing ovation.

UNI