DRDO Chief Says India Can Now Export Combat Aircraft and Missiles

"There are various other systems, like if you take strategic missiles, the long-range missiles that China sells to Saudi Arabia and the cost at which we produce, it would be one-third or one-fourth," he said.

Chander said, "We can talk only about the price at which people sell and what comes out in published figures about the contracts of the day. By that, our production cost would be much lower. What will be the export cost, that will be the policy decision of the government."

He said for getting into the business of arms exports, the country "needs a framework on what can be exported. It depends on which country, how to protect misuse".

He said there are always a number of issues related to arms exports which need to be addressed.

"What we are suggesting is that there should be a single window clearance system for export of weapons in a timebound manner," the DRDO chief said.

He said several countries have shown interest in the Akash missile system, which was ready to be inducted into the Army.

Chander also said there was a scope for exporting 500-1,000 "cost competitive" indigenously developed LCA Tejas combat aircraft.

LCA is likely to be ready for induction into IAF by the end of this year after attaining the Final Operational Clearance.

India depends on imports for meeting more than 65 percent of its weapons requirement and has been branded as largest importer of arms by international think tanks.

So far, India has exported only assault rifles, a few helicopters along with some small naval vessels to friendly foreign countries.

--With PTI inputs--

Also Read:
Get To Know The Man: Modi's Private Secretary
PM Narendra Modi: India's Nixon?