India to 'stabilise' present Agni missile programme, says AK Antony

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister AK Antony today indicated that India will first "stabilise" its present missile programmes before thinking of starting any project for having capabilities to strike targets at longer distances than the 5,500 km-range Agni-V.

"Don't be impatient. Let the present Agni series stabilise," he said when asked if India was working on any programme such as Agni-6 after the success of 5,500 km-plus range Agni-5 earlier this year.

The Defence Minister was talking to reporters after delivering DRDO excellence awards here.

So far, the DRDO has conducted only one test of the Agni-V and is planning to carry out more such test-firings in the future for its induction in operational service.

The Minister advised stakeholders to adopt a consortium approach involving academic institutions and industries to act as a cohesive team to explore all aspects of nanotechnology for development of missiles, aeronautics, armaments and combat vehicles.

Praising the research agency, Antony said production of DRDO-developed systems already inducted in the armed forces is worth Rs 42,000 crore but cautioned it against complacency.

"If DRDO lags behind, technology being developed by it will become obsolete and it will not be able to provide state-of-the-art equipment to our forces. It must be the endeavour of all scientists to be innovative and creative in thought and action," he added.

The awardees at today's function included 'missile-woman of India' Tessy Thomas for her contributions to the Agni-4 programme.