Indian missile technology at par with global standards, says Chief Scientific Adviosor V.K. Saraswat

Describing India as an established missile power, Dr V.K. Saraswat, member the Niti Aayog, and the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Ministry of Defence, on Firday said the Indian missile technologies are at par with global standards.

Saraswat was delivering a talk on 'The Evolving Trajectory of India's Integrated Missile Programme' organised by the Indian Pugwash Society at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

Terming the programme as largely successful, Saraswat hailed the contribution of the multi-disciplinary industrial base that worked hand in hand with the Defence Reaserch and Development Organisation (DRDO) on different aspects of India's missile programme.

Saraswat specifically pointed out the contribution and participation of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the success of the programme.

Looking back at India's missile programme Saraswat said the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) was conceived by former Indian president and renowned scientist Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.

The Programme brought together a large number of research laboratories, government departments, industries, and academic institutions of the country within an integrated structure.

Among the missiles developed under the programme, Saraswat pointed out, were short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Prithvi, intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni, short-range low-level surface-to-air missile Trishul, medium-range surface-to-air missile Akash, and third generation anti-tank missile Nag.

Saraswat's presentation was the first of the two-part series of talks on India's missile programme.