Under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiatives, India is growing in its capabilities of manufacturing a wide variety of defence platforms and missiles. Akash is an important missile in this regard, with over 96 percent indigenisation.
Akash is a Surface to Air Missile (SAM) with a range of 25 km. The missile was inducted in 2014 into the IAF and in 2015 into the Indian Army.
After its induction in the Services, interest has been shown in the Akash missile by many friendly nations during International Exhibitions/Def Expo/Aero India. The cabinet approval will facilitate Indian manufactures to participate in RFI/RFP issued by various countries.
So far, Indian defence exports comprised of mostly parts and components. 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.
The export version of Akash will be different from the system currently deployed with the Indian Armed Forces.
Besides Akash, there is interest coming into other major platforms like Coastal Surveillance System, radars and air platforms. To provide faster approvals for export of such platforms, a committee comprising of Raksha Mantri, External Affairs Minister and National Security Advisor has been created.
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.
The Government of India intends to focus on exporting high-value defence platforms to achieve the target of 5 Billion USD worth of defence exports and to improve strategic relations with friendly foreign countries.
(Published from PIB)