Letters: Self-sufficient defence

This refers to the report, "Foray to South Korea signals arms export ambitions of India" (October 21). It is heartening to note that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will take part in the Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, 2013, in Seoul, South Korea. Private sector companies that are manufacturing arms should also be allowed to take part in such exhibitions. India is already exporting the indigenously-developed Dhruv helicopters. It is ironic that India still imports 70 per cent of its arms requirements. Small arms is another big area that should be tapped and the Ordnance Factories Board, which manages more than 39 factories, can be a major player in the export market. We should tap our vast network of engineering colleges, and the Indian Institutes of Technology for talent to become self-sufficient. It should be recalled that the software for digging the surface on Mars was developed by an Indian scientist, working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Deendayal M Lulla Mumbai

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