Huge opportunity in defence sector: Raju

Hyderabad, July 21 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Defence M Pallam Raju today said there was offset opportunity worth 10 billion US Dollar in the defence manufacturing sector in the next five years in the country.

Addressing the press here, Mr Raju said there was a huge market for defence equipment in the country as well as abroad. Private sector, Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) and joint ventures would play a role in the defence manufacture sector in future.

Stating that apprehensions on the role of private sector in strategic areas would be allayed, he said the Defence Ministry was making efforts to involve the private sector in the manufacture of equipment.

Stating that Electronic Warfare (EW) was becoming increasingly important component in the defence sector, he said Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) was doing research in EW which would help the Armed Forces.

The Union Minister visited the DLRL and interacted with the scientists on the research taken up in defence projects.

UNI