CHENNAI: The central government is in the midst of intense efforts to develop defence arms within the country. Earlier, the government had permitted private companies to manufacture missiles, bombs, radars, ammunition and guns. Now, the country is working towards developing the world's lightest bulletproof vest, said the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO). The vest would be tested in about two months' time, said Dr G Satheesh Reddy, DRDO chairman, while speaking at the concluding event of India's first-ever privately-run Defence Expo in Chennai.

The chairman also revealed about the changes in India’s defence sector. “The industry has reached a level where we are building to meet the specifications as put forth by the customers or users. Missiles, bombs, radars, ammunition and guns are being manufactured in a big way by the private industry, as opposed to the earlier times, when solely state-run organizations used to perform this task”, he said.

Dr Reddy also hailed the ongoing development of the 155 mm x 52 Cal Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) and said that this Indian gun was going to be the world's longest-range artillery weapon of its kind. It is being developed for the Indian Army by DRDO in partnership with private firms Bharat Forge and Tata Power SED.

"As part of Government support for the private defence sector, nearly 300 private industries have used DRDO facilities for testing. There are also special funding schemes provided by the Departments of Defence Production to boost private sector capabilities”, he said.