Business Desk, ETV Bharat: In a major boost to the Aatmanirbhara Bharat Abhiyan, the Union Cabinet Wednesday approved the export of Akash Missile System. However, the export version of the missile would be different from the one being deployed with the Indian Armed Forces.
“After its induction in the Services, interest is shown in Akash missile by many friendly countries during International Exhibitions/Def Expo/Aero India,” said a Cabinet press release.
“So far, Indian defence exports included parts, components etc. The export of big platforms was minimal. This initiative of the Cabinet would help the country to improve its defence products and make them globally competitive,” it added.
Aakash is a surface to air missile with a range of 25 kms. It was inducted into the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
Committee for Export Approvals
In view of growing interest in India’s defence platforms, the Cabinet approved the formation of a committee to fast track export approvals.
“To provide faster approvals for export of such platforms, a Committee comprising Raksha Mantri, External Affairs Minister and National Security Advisor has been created,” said the release.
“This Committee would authorise subsequent exports of major indigenous platforms to various countries. The Committee would also explore various available options including the Government-to-Government route,” it added.
India joins the arms exporters club
Notably, India joined the elite league of global arms exporters very recently.
As per a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in May this year, India was placed at the 23rd position in the global arms exporters list with a modest 0.2 per cent of the world’s arms exports.
The report further mentioned that India exported 12 missiles in 2019 and Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Mauritius are her major customers for defence systems.
