Defence Minister George Fernandes, flagging the country's first exhibition of military land and naval systems, said India promised great opportunities for collaboration in defence research.

Fernandes said the event was India's first attempt to showcase the country's rapid strides in defence technology.

"Our defence infrastructure is driven by a concern for autonomy and indigenisation," Fernandes said in an address opening the five-day "Defexpo India 99" in the Indian capital.

"We do however recognise the inevitability of technological interdependence in today's world and have forged mutually beneficial arrangements in a wide range of products and services with several friendly countries."

Caption: Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee addresses a massive rally at the Shivaji Park grounds in Bombay 11 May 1999 to celebrate the first anniversary of India's nuclear test. Vajpayee's government has proclaimed the anniversary as 'National Resurgent Day.' Copyright AFP - photo by Sebastian D'Souza

India's unique selling point "is the high degree of skill and relative lower cost of our technical manpower", Fernandes said.

Some 117 companies from 16 nations are participating in the event, along with India's state-run ordnance establishments, research facilities and 68 private sector companies.

Thirty delegations headed by defence ministers or defence secretaries are also attending.

Fernandes said India provided an excellent opportunity for the developed and developing world "to source cost-effective goods and services from our defence production industry."

The United States, which imposed sanctions on technology transfers after India's series of nuclear tests last year, was absent from the event, as were China and Pakistan.

Britain, France, South Africa and Israel were among those who sent commercial and official delegations.

India's defence production, which started with a single ordnance factory in 1801, now comprises giant public sector enterprises, 39 ordnance factories and a number of private sector units.

Fernandes urged participating overseas delegates to forge partnerships with Indian defence production and research facilities.

Apart from its potential as a market for foreign defence products and technologies, India also offers substantial opportunities for joint ventures, technology transfers and co-production facilities for export to other markets, Fernandes said.

"We are keen to welcome international collaboration and joint ventures which serve our national priorities and (the) mutual interest of collaborating organisations."

The call struck a note with Marcel de Picciotto, vice president of French aeronautics and defence group Thomson CSF.

"We consider that India has made the effort of developing an indigenous and robust defence industry and this offers an opportunity to find partners of sufficient stature to participate in developing a base for joint development," De Picciotto said.

"France and India are multiplying their diplomatic relations on defence matters and that shows both countries value that relationship and that is good for future business."

India has voiced interest in forging production partnerships with Britain, France, Israel and South Africa and wants to scout markets in East Asia and Africa to bolster its fledgeling military export sector.

India has developed a wide range of guided and ballistic missiles despite Western pressure to abandon the 16-year-old programme.

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India Reveals Ambitious Satellite Program
New Delhi (AFP) September 28, 1999 - India will place an array of communications and remote-sensing satellites into orbit in the next millennium, the chief of the main space agency said on Tuesday. "Work is on in full swing for the future launches, which will expand the Indian Space and Research Organisation's (ISRO) satellite family," K. Kasturirangan told a news conference in Bombay.

India at SpaceDaily