Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said the country will become a defence supplier to friendly countries in near future as it is becoming more indigenous and self-sufficient in defence production. <br/><br/>Speaking after handing over Long Range Surface to Air Missile to Indian Navy at a programme held at Bharat Dynamics Limited in Hyderabad, he said this will improve our defence strategy and also add to the country's economy.<br/><br/>Underlining the need for strong defence strategy, the minister said it will continue to become stronger by the day and our forces will be adequately equipped.<br/><br/>Stating that the Public Sector Units will continue to play a lead role in defence manufacturing sector, Mr Jaitley said the policy framework has been made to tap the private resources too. <br/><br/>Stressing the need for increasing investments in Research and development, he expressed satisfaction over the pace of research and development underway in various defence laboratories in the country. <br/><br/>Stating that the preparedness is the best defence, he said the country is in a geo-political location where the country is facing multiple threats.'Navy Vice Chief Karamveer Singh received the Long Range Surface to Air Missile from the BDL. <br/><br/>Earlier in the day, Mr Jaitley inaugurated Rocket Motor Static Test facility at BDL Ibrahimpatnam and laid foundation stone to the new unit of the BDL, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. <br/><br/>He also visited Ordnance Factory in Medak and flagged off indigenously made bar coded infantry combat vehicle BMP-II. He also inaugurated 5 MW Solar Photo Voltaic Power project at the Bhanur unit of the BDL.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said the country will become a defence supplier to friendly countries in near future as it is becoming more indigenous and self-sufficient in defence production. <br/><br/>Speaking after handing over Long Range Surface to Air Missile to Indian Navy at a programme held at Bharat Dynamics Limited in Hyderabad, he said this will improve our defence strategy and also add to the country's economy.<br/><br/>Underlining the need for strong defence strategy, the minister said it will continue to become stronger by the day and our forces will be adequately equipped.<br/><br/>Stating that the Public Sector Units will continue to play a lead role in defence manufacturing sector, Mr Jaitley said the policy framework has been made to tap the private resources too. <br/><br/>Stressing the need for increasing investments in Research and development, he expressed satisfaction over the pace of research and development underway in various defence laboratories in the country. <br/><br/>Stating that the preparedness is the best defence, he said the country is in a geo-political location where the country is facing multiple threats.'Navy Vice Chief Karamveer Singh received the Long Range Surface to Air Missile from the BDL. <br/><br/>Earlier in the day, Mr Jaitley inaugurated Rocket Motor Static Test facility at BDL Ibrahimpatnam and laid foundation stone to the new unit of the BDL, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. <br/><br/>He also visited Ordnance Factory in Medak and flagged off indigenously made bar coded infantry combat vehicle BMP-II. He also inaugurated 5 MW Solar Photo Voltaic Power project at the Bhanur unit of the BDL.