India to test major missile systems in 2011

Bangalore: India would be testing various new missile systems, including strategic ones such as the Agni-5, developed for the three Indian defence services, through 2011. The tests will begin in February, according to Dr VK Saraswat, scientific advisor to the defence minister and DRDO chief.

Dr Saraswat said the country was self-sufficient in missile technology and had the necessary technological wherewithal to produce various classes of missiles for the three defence services. He was speaking to news persons here.

Dr Saraswat also said that the need of the hour was to gear up the Indian industry, both private and public sector, to take up integration of missiles so that these systems could be produced in required volumes.

Significantly, he also said the country could even emerge as an exporter of some of the missile systems such as Akash and Nag. While Akash is an advanced medium range air defence system the Nag is an advanced anti-tank missile.

He clarified that domestic needs of the armed services would have to be first met before any exports of these systems could be considered. ''We do have requests and we can think about it only after meeting domestic requirements'' he said.