As part of the Atma Nirbhar Week programme, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday launched a number of weapon systems which include rifles, anti-tank missile, and upgraded commander’s thermal imager-cum-daysight for T-90 tanks, all developed by different factories of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
“At a programme in Delhi, Singh remotely launched Namica, a missile launching platform for the third generation anti-tank fire and forget missile “Nag”, a new 8.6x70mm sniper rifle developed by the Rifle Factory Ishapore, a dual calibre anti-material rifle developed by the Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli and an upgraded commander’s thermal imager-cum-daysight for T-90 tanks developed by the Opto Electronic Factory Dehradun,” reported Hindustan Times.
It further quoted the OFB as having said in a statement issued from its headquarters in Kolkata that Namica uses an indigenously produced infantry combat vehicle with amphibious capabilities that have been developed by Ordnance Factory Medak and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) jointly. The platform can fire six missiles with a gap of 20 seconds between the shots.
Talking about the upgraded thermal imager cum- daysight for T-90 tanks which has a range of detection at 8,000 meters at night, the OFB said, “It will also be retrofitted in T-90 tanks already in service and will lead to substantial foreign exchange savings.”
Singh took to twitter on Thursday saying that India cannot depend on foreign governments and foreign suppliers to meet its requirement of defence needs.
We cannot depend on foreign governments, foreign suppliers and foreign defence products to meet our defence needs. It is not compatible with the objectives and feelings of a strong and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 13, 2020
“We should not only be able to ensure the fulfilment of our national interests but also be able to help other people in times of need. Self-reliance in the defence sector is far more crucial than any other field,” Singh wrote in a separate tweet.
We should not only be able to ensure the fulfilment of our national interests but also be able to help other people in times of need. Self-reliance in the defence sector is far more crucial than any other field.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 13, 2020
After launching a number of new products Singh said, “Security is its first priority for the development of any nation. We all know that the nations that are able to protect themselves, have been able to build their strong image at global level.”
In an announcement made on last Sunday, India’s Defence Ministry had announced an embargo list of 101 types of military equipment which were to be barred from being imported starting December 2020.
India being the top importer of weapons and equipment, will be cutting down on these imports as its Ministry of Defence shall place orders worth Rs. 4 Lakh Crore with the domestic industry over the next 5-7 years.
Earlier in May, while rolling out reform measures for the defence manufacturing sector, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was the first to announce the decision to prune the import list of weapons system under a year-wise schedule.
Free Press Kashmir is now on Telegram. Click here to Join.
