Vizag to build torpedoes

Visakhapatnam, Sept. 27: The minister of state for defence, Dr M. Pallam Raju, on Monday laid the foundation stone for the new Bharat Dynamics Limited production facility for manufacture of underwater weapon systems in Visakhapatnam.

Talking to mediapersons at the site in Autonagar, he observed that BDL and DRDO were playing a crucial role in the development of India’s weapons capability.

“BDL is playing a key role in harnessing our capabilities to deter threats from outside,” he said.

Answering questions about the Chinese build up near Kashmir, Mr Raju made it clear that India was manning its borders well.

The Navy, Coast Guard and the marine police have been empowered to protect India’s coastline keeping in view the danger posed by terrorism, he said.

Regarding the setting up of the base near Rambilli, the minister said that the modalities were being worked out and it would soon become a reality.

The minister congratulated the BDL for the growth it had achieved in the last few years. He said he sincerely hoped that they would cross the `1,000 crore mark by next year and advance to become a full-fledged Navaratna in the years to come. He added that that the services of ancillary and subsidiary units would be necessary to meet the requirements of BDL.

The major general (retd), Mr Ravi Khetarpal, chairman and MD of BDL, observed that the company specialised in manufacturing anti-tank guided missiles, surface to air missiles and torpedoes.
(source : Deccan Chronicle)