Increase indigenisation of defence equipment:Scientific Adviser

Kochi, Nov 26 (UNI) Scientific Adviser to the union defence minister M Natarajan has called upon the three armed services to work towards increasing the indigenous content of defence equipment from the current 40 per cent to 70 per cent.

Addressing the 22nd Advisory Council meeting of the technical training institutes of the three services - Army, Navy and the Air Force -- and the DRDO at the Southern Naval Base here yesterday, Mr Natrajan also emphasised the need for synergy of training among the three services due to challenging technologies, a defence spokesman said today.

Mr Natarajan also urged the delegates to put in dedicated efforts to bring the indigenisation content of defence equipment and associated systems from 40 per cent to 70 per cent.

Extensive deliberations were also held towards further enhancing the professional training at the institutes.

Earlier, Captain V M Doss, Director, Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology (NIAT), welcomed the delegates to the meeting. The last meeting of the Advisory Council at Kochi was held in April 1997, during which then Scientific Adviser to Defence Dr APJ Abdul Kalam chaired the meeting.

UNI ARC KKS1652