New Delhi, November 30, 2007 (DefenceIndia News Service)

Keeping in view the India's plan to import 45 billion dollars worth defence equipment in the coming five years, the Centre has decided that all imported defence equipment should have at least 30 percent Indian components, DRDO Chief Dr A Sivathanu Pillai said.

While inaugurating an international conference on emerging challenges in design and manufacturing technologies, organized by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment and Sathyabama University in Chennai, DRDO Chief Dr A Sivathanu Pillai said defence imports in the next five years were likely to be 45 billion U.S Dollars, as per CII's projection.

Pointing at the after effects of the center's latest move, Dr Pillai said, "if the Centre's decision is implemented, Indian Industry will get a business to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore every year. Indian industry should gear up to meet the challenge."

However, this could be done only if the industry delivers quality components on time at competitive rates.

Highlighting the demand of the Brahmos, Dr Pillai who is also the CEO of BrahMos Aerospace said that the Brahmos missile, developed by DRDO in collaboration with Russia, has good demand abroad as it is internationally competitive.

Elaborating on the missile's merits, he said the Brahmos missile was the fastest operational cruise missile in the world and could be launched from land, air or sea to precisely hit the target with lethal effect.

Further Vijay Shrikrishna Sohoni, President, council of architecture, in his keynote address, said designers should ensure that their work was sustainable. Otherwise, their products would not find buyers.

Chancellor of Satyabama University, Dr Jeppiaar suggested that there be constant interaction between educational and industrial institutions.