Tamil Nadu contributed most to Agni-5 missile: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
CHENNAI: Agni-5, the most advanced nuclear capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile in the Agni series successfully test-fired on Thursday, had major contributions from Tamil Nadu industry, which provided the main ingredients, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday.
“The main ingredients for the Agni-5 came from Tamil Nadu industry”, the Minister said, amid applause from the audience during her address at the two-day Defence Industry Development Meet. “If we have been able to launch Agni 5 today, it is not only because of components that were imported but also due to the research activities taken up by DRDO (Defence Research Development Organisation). The components were successfully assembled and a successful launch (of Agni 5) was made today”, she said. She did not elaborate on what the ingredients were since making the ballistic missile is crucial for the defence preparedness of the country.
The Minister who hails from Tamil Nadu also said the state provided a favourable climate for investment, which can be made use of for the development of the defence sector in the country.
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who also addressed the meeting, declared that Tamil Nadu is aiming at achieving 30 per cent share of Aerospace and Defence sector in India through its proposed policy. He also demanded that the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) set up a facility to manufacture Light Combat Aircrafts in Salem.
In a bid to woo investors, Sitharaman also told them that her ministry has simplified procurement norms to encourage local manufacturing in defence sector and reduce the dependence on imported equipment.
The country's first woman defence minister also exuded confidence that the new changes would give a major boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet initiative of 'Make in India'. “In the policy there were some difficulties. Recently, we discussed it and have come out with a simplified Make II policy,” she said, after releasing a booklet detailing the simplified procedures and also unveiling portal www.makeinindiadefence.com.
