Date:03/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/03/stories/2008040357722200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Export inquiries for ‘Akash’, ‘Nag’ missiles

HYDERABAD: A few countries have evinced interest in procuring surface-to-air ‘Akash’ and anti-tank ‘Nag’ missiles developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

Disclosing this at a press conference on Wednesday in connection with the first World Congress on Disaster Management to be held here from October 21 to 24, Prahlada, Chief Controller ( R & D), DRDO, said that apart from these missiles, inquiries were received for the main battle tank, ‘Arjun’ and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).

Declaring that the country was ready to export missiles and other items which were sought, he said the whole export process would be completed in two-three years.

Dr. Prahlada, who is chairman of the IGMDP, said the next flight trial of ‘Nag’ would be conducted in July this year.

He said the beyond-visual-range ‘Astra’ air-to-air missile would under go 40-50 trials by 2010 when the project is to be completed. It was planned to initially integrate the missile with Mig-29, followed by Sukhoi-30 and the multi-role Light Combat Aircraft.

Giving details of the proposed congress, he said about 1,000 delegates from India and 50 countries were expected to participate. It would focus on water, climate, geological , chemical, environmental, industrial, nuclear, biological, terror-related disasters, among others. It was being held to prepare authorities and people to tackle a disaster.

D.N. Reddy, principal, OU Engineering College, said a first-of-its kind M.Tech course in disaster management would be started in July this year. Justice P. Ramakrishnam Raju, chairman, organising committee, spoke.

VNH.