Us To Target More Indian Cos For Aiding Missile Plan
Close on the heels of curbs on US exports to Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), the United States is considering a crackdown on at least two more Indian firms for supplying components to New Delhis ballistic missile and rocket programmes, according to Defence News.
Godrej & Boyce, Mumbai, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore, and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, are likely to come under the US commerce departments export restrictions, the magazine said, quoting a US arms control official.
There will be more listings in the Federal Register because Bharat is not the most important, said Gary Milhollin, director of Washington-based Wisconsin University project on nuclear arms control.
Defence News also quoted a Pentagon source to say that the current trade restriction was a fall out of Indias decision to veto the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty last year.
While Godrej & Boyce has been charged with producing liquid-fueled engines for the Indian Space Research Organisation, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd is suspected of producing microcircuitry and other components for the Prithvi surface-to-surface missile programme.
Indian Institute of Technology, Bangalore, the US alleged, is a source for Indias rocket development, research on solid and hybrid fueled propulsion, navigation, guidance and control and air-breathing systems.
The weekly said that according to the US commerce department, the Pentagon and National Security Council officials, up to three additional Indian firms could be singled out on the basis of proliferation risks subject to special scrutiny and export licence review.
The anticipated US government action against more Indian entities, the weekly said, follows the May 16 imposition of export restrictions on BEL.
US says BEL, which purchases components from Lockheed Martin Corp, Bethesda, Maryland, makes the digital flight control system for Indias light combat aircraft, besides developing control, guidance and navigation packages for satellites, launch vehicles and long-range missiles.
Under the new restrictions, US firms now need to apply for export licences on all goods, commodities and services destined for sale to BEL, regardless of whether the items are controlled.
The US commerce department has notified potential exporters of BELs status in the May 16 issue of the Federal Register.