MIL/Agencies/Hindu, Jan 9, 2008. Author:
New Delhi, India: January 9, 2008 - India have scrapped the country's strategic integrated guided missile programme (IDGMP), and would henceforth take the development and production of most of futuristic weapons systems with foreign collaboration, as per Defence Scientist Dr S Prahlada, Chief Controller at DRDO headquarters.
However,; the longer range missiles, under-sea launched missiles and furturistic weapons systems like electronic counter-warfare measures would be "undertaken in-house”.
Dr S Prahlada said that the "closure" of the Integrated Development of Guided Missile Programme (IDGMP) had been done, as manufacture of most of the missiles to be developed under the project had almost completed and inducted into the armed forces.
"Unlike post-Pokhran, when doors to technology transfers were closed on us," 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."
The first of such ventures would be development of quick reaction missiles to counter threats from low-flying missiles and fighters and Astra, India first bid to develop a beyond-visual range air-to-air missile.
While India would be collobrating with Israel for development of surface-to-air upgraded spyder missiles, for Astra, India shall have collaboration with France and Russia, who are experts in this field.
Terming IDGMP as a "path-breaking" experience for Indian defence scieintists, Prahlada said "working on it has given our experts pioneering and powerful expertise."
He said it was on the basis of such expertise that India would be the major partner in all future weapons systems development programmes comprising missiles, network-centric operations and development of submarines and other armament systems.
"Countries like France, Israel, UK, Russia, Germany and Singapore have expressed their readiness to work jointly with us" he said adding that "New Delhi intended to take this forward."
Prahalad also hinted that similar arrangements could also be worked out with the United States.
