Indian Defence
Minister A K Antony today indicated that India will first "stabilise"
its present missile programmes before thinking of starting any project for
having capabilities to strike targets at longer distances than the 5,500
km-range Agni-V.
"Don't
be impatient. Let the present Agni series stabilise," he said when asked
if India was working on any programme such as Agni-6 after the success of 5,500
km-plus range Agni-5 earlier this year.
The
Defence Minister was talking to reporters after delivering DRDO excellence
awards here.
So far,
the DRDO has conducted only one test of the Agni-V and is planning to carry out
more such test-firings in the future for its induction in operational service.
The
Minister advised stakeholders to adopt a consortium approach involving academic
institutions and industries to act as a cohesive team to explore all aspects of
nanotechnology for development of missiles, aeronautics, armaments and combat
vehicles.
Praising
the research agency, Antony said production of DRDO-developed systems already
inducted in the armed forces is worth Rs 42,000 crore but cautioned it against
complacency.
"If
DRDO lags behind, technology being developed by it will become obsolete and it
will not be able to provide state-of-the-art equipment to our forces. It must
be the endeavour of all scientists to be innovative and creative in thought and
action," he added.
The
awardees at today's function included 'missile-woman of India' Tessy Thomas for
her contributions to the Agni-4 programme.
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