The government has decided in principle to allow export of missile systems to ‘certain’ countries, who have friendly relationship with India, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday. “The government had taken a very conscious decision about 4-5 months ago that 10 per cent of the missile capacity will be permitted to be exported if producers manage to get export orders subject to parameters set by the union government and External Affairs Ministry,” he said.
Policy of export was always existing, but the problem was lack of spare capacity after meeting the requirement of the country’s armed forces, he said, adding that the production capacity for various missile systems like ‘Akash’ had improved. “In-principle decision has been taken to allow exports to certain countries who are in friendly relationship with us... if they manage to export, then we would enhance the capacity by 10 per cent so that the forces are not deprived,” he said.