Defence Minister exhorts Scientists to promote indigenous technology

Bangalore, Jun 14 (UNI) Defence Minister A K Anthony today exhorted the scientists and defence establishments in the country not to be over dependent on foreign countries for cutting edge technologies but promote indigenous technology.

Addressing scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) after inaugurating the new campus of the Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) here, he said that "such a tendency might land the country and the armed forces in deep trouble in crucial times in the form of various factors such as import restrictions, technology denial or even undue and unjustified delay in delivery of already contracted systems or components." The government would go all out to support the scientists who achieved self reliance in cutting edge technologies," he assured.

He urged the scientists to evolve ways and means to utilise modern technology to further reduce the stress on the troops. While the government would not allow resources to be a constraint, it should be ensured that various resources such as human, financial and technological were not frittered away.

He had a word of praise for the DRDO which had significantly developed strategic systems and advanced missiles despite technology denials and restrictive exports regime. "The organisation needed to improve on minimising the time and cost over-run and satisfy the end user in a more effective way," he felt.

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