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Revolution in military affairs is about technology: Fernandes

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Feb 4, IRNA -- India`s Defense Minister George Fernandes on
Wednesday said the revolution in military affairs is about technology 
and not manpower. 
According to an IRNA reporter, Fernandes while inaugurating the 
Third International Defense Exposition at Pragati Maidan said, 
Information Technology and Electronic Warfare are the sheet anchors of
Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). 
In the exposition with a participation by some of the world`s 
major arms companies from 20 countries, Fernandes in the same vein 
said, India is at the forefront of these technologies and means to 
apply them in order to be a leader of this revolution. 
"Both the private and public sectors have to play their roles in 
furthering this, Fernandes said, in the exposition being jointly 
organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and India`s 
Ministry of Defense. 
India`s Minister of State for Defense Production, O. Rajgopal also
in his address said, the DEFEXPO India 2004 would showcase the 
opportunities that India offers in terms of joint ventures and 
Technology Transfers. 
Uma Pillai, Secretary in India`s Ministry of Defense said that 
India`s 39 Ordnance Factories and eight public sector undertakings 
possess modern facilities for design and manufacture of a wide range 
of products, covering land, naval and air systems and account for a 
turnover of US dlrs 3.5 billion. 
She said that in the era of increasing interdependence, 
collaborations and concentration, ushered in by globalization of major
industries worldwide, the Indian defense sector too, is open for 
co-development, co-production and joint marketing of products. 
The four day exposition has attracted participation from 350 
exhibitors and official delegates from 37 countries will also visit 
the exposition. The exposition will allow Indian companies to showcase
their products as well as network with players in the global industry 
and apprise them about the service they could offer. 
Delegations from UK, Brazil, Italy, Thailand, Turkey, Oman, UAE, 
Russia, Philippines, Sudan, France, Ukraine, Myanmar, Surinam, 
Nigeria, Uganda among others are visiting the exposition. 
Exhibitors from Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, UK, 
Israel, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, USA, Poland 
are among others who are exhibiting at the exposition. 
This year`s exposition is taking place at a time when the Indian 
government has allowed 100 percent private participation in defense 
industry with foreign direct investment permissible up to 26 percent 
subject to licensing. 
2160/AH/210 
End