LONDON, May 23 (APP): A top Indian scientist has said his country plans to sell Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles to friendly countries and a list in this regard was being prepared. Speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies on "India: An emerging strategic power" on Tuesday, Dr Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Controller, Research and Development, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said his country has mastered the production of this sophisticated missile in a joint venture with Russia.
He said his country was in a position to sell the missile to friendly countries which have shown interest and are being identified. However, he added, India would not take a hasty decision and carefully scrutinize the interested countries.
Dr.Pillai said the Indian government has prepared 2020 vision based on 17 documents to strengthen the country both economically and militarily. He said the main emphasis was on self-reliance and India has in this regard made significant strides in constructing and launching satellites.
He further said DRDO was actively involved in planning a moon mission by 2020 and work on the project would speed up after 2012.With the commercial launch of a Nigerian satellite recently on an Indian rocket, he said, India was now among six countries with this capability.
Speaking about Brahmos, Dr.Pillai said it was a multirole missile that could be launched from land to sea, land to land and ship to ship, being based on kinetic energy.
He said that despite facing many problems, such as lack of higher education, facilities and even brain drain, technology and science have made its way into the Indian society and the country has achieved greater heights in this field.
Elaborating on nanotechnology, he said it will play a major role in changing the face of science and technology in the country in the coming days.
Dr. Pillai brought to the notice of the gathering that it was 17th century Muslim ruler of Mysore Tipu Sultan who in a way pioneered the use of rockets when he launched around 6,000 rockets at the British Army in 1792 war to defeat them comprehensively.
He said by 2020 the gross domestic produce (GDP) of China, Brazil, Mexico, India and Russia would exceed many developed European countries as well as Japan. DRDO Chief said self-reliance in technology was the key to India's future.
