Defence products import does not augur well for India:Antony

Hyderabad, Mar 25 (UNI) Expressing 'deep concern' over dependence on foreign suppliers for defence products, Defence Minister A K Antony today said it was not a good sign for the country, which was importing defence materials, including important strategic items.

Addressing the Scientists at Research Centre Imarat (RCI) as part of his visit to the DRDO labs here, Mr Antony said ''our country was spending precious money on foreign suppliers for the import of defence products''. It would not augur will for the country in future, he added.

Stating that the country was still far from achieving 'self- sufficiency' in defence production, he said the dependence on foreign suppliers must be reduced from the present level with the joint efforts of public and private partnerships in defence production. Both the PSUs and private companies must work together for the promotion of defence production.

Lauding the Scientists for successfully conducting various missile tests in recent times, Mr Antony urged them to contain the pace in defence research so that 'indigenous' dream would be realised in the missile technology in future.

Scientific Advisor to Defence minister and Secretary to Defence Research and Development M Natarajan said the country should overcome the problems of embargo and the challeges were to encourage bigger production companies and sustain the movement of indigenous development.

The DRDO organisations were taking steps by recruiting young scientists to meet the requirement of the defence organisations.

Attrition of young scientists has emerged as a problem for the defence research, Mr Natarajan said, adding that the Centre has allocated sufficient funds for the defence resarch units.

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