India cannot depend on foreign suppliers for state of art weapons system: Antony

BANGALORE - Stressing the need for more indigenisation in military technology, Defence Minister AK Antony on Wednesday said that for the supply of state of art weapons system India cannot depend on foreign suppliers, as they provide second-grade equipment.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the eighth Aero India International seminar, Antony said: “Do not think any country in the world, however friendly they are, would like to part with their most modern A grade technology. That is the reality.”

“I don’t know the difference between ‘A’,'B’ or ‘C’ grade technology. But I am sure that India is not getting ‘A’ grade technology,” he said explaining how foreign countries in the name of technology transfer don’t give their best product.

Antony further said: “India had to face sanctions because of various reasons. Today, we are proud that despite sanctions the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was able to produce many state of art weapons system.”

Lauding the work of DRDO scientists for their efforts, he assured that the government will give them full support, and added: “I am sure our scientists will be able to produce more weapons system with the help of domestic industry.”

“Until we develop our own strong technological base we cannot say India has come of age. For this to happen, we need large scale participation of universities, research institutions, and stake-holders to work with DRDO,” Antony added.

Commenting on the Light Combat Aircraft, Antony was confident that the aircraft would be in full combat strength by the next Aero India show. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)