India should be front-runner in space technology: Air chief
October 27th, 2009 - 10:08 pm ICT by IANS ( Leave a comment )
New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) Without mentioning China by name, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik Tuesday said India was against “militarisation” of space but the country should aim to be the front-runner in the field of space technology.
“We are against militarisation of space. In fact, the entire world is against this,” Naik told reporters when asked about China’s future plans to launch a space station.
“Our aim should be to be a front runner in everything, including in space,” he added.
Asked about field evaluation trials of the medium multi-role combat aircraft, Naik said: “We have finished the trials of F-16, F/A-18, Rafale and the MiG-35. All (aircraft) are going neck and neck”.
India is scheduled to buy 126 multi-role combat aircraft for an estimated $11 billion to strengthen its depleting squadrons of fighter aircraft. Five companies, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Eurofighter, Gripen and RAC MiG are in the fray for this fourth generation fighter aircraft’s sales to India.
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