NEW DELHI, Jan 8 (APP) – India will develop futuristic missile and weapons systems with foreign collaboration, the country’s top defence scientist Dr. S. Prahlada said here Tuesday.
He announced “closure” by India of its Integrated Development of Guided Missile Programme (IDGMP) because he said manufacture of most of the missiles to be developed under the project had been almost completed and inducted into the armed forces.
Dr. Prahlada said the development and production of most of futuristic weapons systems would henceforth be undertaken with foreign collaboration.
However, longer range missiles, under-sea launched missiles and futuristic weapons systems like electronic counter-warfare measures would be undertaken in-house, he said.
“Unlike post-Pokhran, when doors to technology transfers were closed on us, now doors of frontline armament technology transfer are now open”, he said.
“New missile and weapons systems will be developed within a five-year time frame at low costs, with foreign partners and private industries” Prahlada, Chief Controller at DRDO headquarters, said.
The first of such ventures, Prahlada said, would be development of quick reaction missiles to counter threats from low-flying missiles and fighters.
The official media in New Delhi said while India would be collaborating with Israel for development of surface-to-air upgraded spider missiles, for Astra, beyond-visual range air-to-air missile, New Delhi has roped in French and Russian collaborators.