DefExpo 2018: ‘There is no Shortage of Equipment and Ammunition for Armed Forces’, Says Nirmala Sitharaman

The 10^th edition of the DefExpo begins today at Thiruvidanthai in Chennai. The main objective of this DefExpo is to promote Indian Defence manufacturing companies. Nearly 75% of the companies participating in the expo are the Indian companies. India will showcase indigenous built land, air and naval security systems. During the press conference on the sidelines of DefExpo 2018, Defence Minister said that the ministry of Defence had given emergency powers to the Armed Forces to decide the type and the amount of arms and ammunition to be purchased, reported The Times of India. Sitharaman also said that there was no shortage of any equipment and ammunition for the Armed Forces.

As one of the major highlight of the event, Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) today handed over three critical technologies to the Indian Navy. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman handed these three technologies to Naval Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba. These critical technologies are: processor-based mines (PPBM), VLF modulator and heavy weight torpedo Varunastra.

Varunastra is a heavy weight indigenously developed torpedo. A DRDO official said, “Varunastra is a ship-based ESM system developed for intercepting all modern radars. PBBM is deployable from ships and can deter movement of adversary.” An official further added, “The VLF modulator is a long range reliable communication system that we have handed over to the Navy,” reported The Times of India.

The DRDO transferred 10 other technologies to private and public sector units (PSU) for manufacturing for the Indian Armed Forces. These technologies included Astra, air to air missile system. This missile was recently test fired from Sukhoi- MKI 30, no it will be integrated into indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejasanti-thermal/ anti laser grenade, CAIRGIS geographic information system, two sonars — Humsa and Abhay — and a sonar dome. The DRDO also transferred anti-thermal/ anti laser grenade, CAIRGIS geographic information system, two sonars — Humsa and Abhay — and a sonar dome to private and PSU’s.

To commemorate the 60^th Anniversary of DRDO, a souvenir and a stamp were released with all the details of technologies developed by the organisation.