'Nag' missile ready for induction into army

Chandigarh, Jan 29 (UNI) 'Nag', the third generation anti-tank missile, will be ready for induction into the Indian army by mid-2008.

''The 'Nag' will be ready for induction once the user trials scheduled in the summer this year are over,'' Chief Controller, Research and Development (Missile and Strategic Systems), DRDO, Dr V K Saraswat said here today.

Addressing mediapersons, Dr Saraswat said the last user trials of 'Nag' were held in November-December last year and were a success. The army is satisfied with the performance of the missile and its induction will give the armed forces a definite edge, he added.

The Chief Controller was equally optimistic of the performance of the 'Akash' missile also, saying that it too was ready for induction into the army.

Dispeling doubts on the fueling capacity of the 'Prithvi', Dr Saraswat pointed out that this missile can be fueled at the depot i.e. the storage place. ''After fueling it can be moved out and its fueling life is for 10 years,'' he added.

''Fueling of the 'Prithvi' is an operational matter, which is not of much concern,'' he added, while replying to a question.

Expressing satisfaction with the ongoing Blastic Missile Defence systems, Dr Saraswat said these were necessary as India is surrounded by countries which possess blastic missile capabilities whose threat, particularly if it is fitted with a nuclear warhead, becomes multifold and the country has to have defence systems to check this, he added, while pointing out that at present 32 countries have same missiles.

''We have to have the systems that can detect a missle that travels at five kms a second and then accordingly take remedial measures,'' he added.

MORE UNI HS GL HS1946