Hailing Indian defence production units for successfully manufacturing critical and strategic materials even under “denial regimes”, Union Defence Minister A K Antony today remarked that any denial should be taken as a ‘god-sent’ opportunity.
“We are now getting ready to test missiles with a range of 5,000 km. We have now reached a range of 3,000 km. Only denials have resulted in this,” the Minister quipped, adding that Indian scientists have proved that they can face any challenge.
Mr. Antony was speaking at a function after laying the foundation-stone for an expansion project at the Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (Midhani) here on Friday.
Mr. Antony said the country was looking to Midhani to extend critical materials support for programmes of national importance like manufacture of Sukhoi-MK II fighter aircraft and Advanced Light Helicopter, Arjun and T-90 tanks, commercial launch of PSLV, GSLV and GSLV Mark II and also increase in nuclear power generation beyond 18,000 MW by 2020.
He said the days of restrictions were gone as Indian defence production units like Midhani were inducting fresh blood in the form of scientists, engineers and work force.
“Midhani is modernizing, improving and progressing. But it has not yet become a world-class organization. Sky is the limit for you. Grow into a world-class unit,” Mr. Antony told Midhani’s Chairman and Managing Director M Narayana Rao.
Union Secretary (Defence Production) R K Singh asked the Midhani management to ensure that India did not depend on outside agencies for the country’s defence requirements.
“Grow far beyond your size as needs in all strategic sectors are growing. Resources are not a constraint but deliver better quality products, at a lesser cost, in time,” Mr. Singh said.
Midhani CMD Narayana Rao said the company was aiming to achieve a turnover of Rs. 1,000 crore in the next three years and eventually touch the Rs. 5,000 crore mark.
Joint Secretary (Naval Systems) Gyanesh Kumar and other senior officials attended the function.
Midhani paid a dividend of Rs 7.20 crore to the Government of India on the occasion. The Defence Minister received a cheque for the amount from the company CMD.
