HYDERABAD, India, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Indian President Pratibha Patil visited the Defense Research and Development Organization's missile complex Tuesday and urged scientists to keep deadlines.
Patil addressed scientists at the missile complex near Hyderabad, India, saying that the increased threat to the country's security requires a compacted timeframe for technology production development of weapon systems for the armed forces, The Hindu reported.
Patil was given a tour New Year's Day and shown the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile, the surface-to-surface missile Prithvi and the anti-tank missile Nag among other defense technologies.
"The work of the DRDO team gives us a great sense of pride," Patil said in a statement. However, many challenges remain. India's large size and its long land and maritime borders require constant defense preparedness. A strong security apparatus is also necessary for the economic and social development of the country."
"In today's world with new threat perceptions, defense and security systems are increasingly moving towards technology intensive options. Our defense forces need to upgrade and modernize their equipment to keep pace with the rapid changes taking place in the world. To ensure that our armed forces are not deprived of timely acquisition of new weapon systems, it is of critical importance that delivery targets are met on schedule."
