As India opens export of DRDO-developed Akash missile, 9 countries express interest

In a major boost to India's Defence Industry, nine countries from Souast Asia and Africa expressed interest in acquisition of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed Akash Air Defence Missile, as per government sources.

This comes hours after  Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved export of indigeusly-developed Akash missile, setting up a panel to ensure faster approvals for acquisition proposals by various countries. Centre has been working towards achieving a target of USD 5 billion in defence exports through exporting domestically-designed high-value defence platforms. 

While tweeting on development, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh revealed that  export version of Akash will be different from System currently deployed with Indian Armed Forces. He also called Akash 'an important missile' since it is 96 per cent indigeusly me. "So far, Indian defence exports included parts/components etc. export of big platforms was minimal. This decision by Cabinet would help country to improve its defence products and make m globally competitive," he stated. 

Re: Defence Ministry To Procure Rs 27,000 Crore Worth Of Equipment From Indian Manufacturers

Re: DRDO Chief Says 'It's w Able To Produce Any Missile That Armed Forces Want'

Centre boosts domestic Defence Industry

Earlier this month, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) heed by Rajnath Singh h approved proposals worth Rs 27,000 cr centred at procuring defence equipment from Indian manufacturers. Out of seven proposals worth Rs 28,000 cr, six proposals valued at Rs 27,000 cr were granted to Indian industry in a boost to both 'Make In India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. 

Back in October, Defence Minister h approved new DRDO Procurement Manual-2020 to facilitate indigeus Defence Industry. In August, Rajnath Singh in a massive statement h anunced that Ministry of Defence would embargo imports of 101 items to boost indigeus defence production. 

After a successful year for DRDO, Chief G Saesh Reddy in October h revealed that India h actually gained complete self-reliance in area of missiles. "We are w able to develop any of missile system what armed forces want," he said.

Re: India Successfully Test-fires Domestically-manufactured MRSAM Missile Off Odisha Coast

Re: India Successfully Test-fires Land-attack Version Of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile