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Union Defence and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday inaugurated the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO)’s new Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) here.
He said Challakere is well suited to house an ATR, as such strategic facilities need less human habitation to carry out crucial defence-related tests especially that of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Jaitley said: “Our country, with its geographical and geo-political situation, has been long facing security threats, and developing world-class, indigenously built technology is key for the country to safeguard its interests.
He said that instead of spending huge amounts on defence procurement deals, the country needs to manufacture locally, wherein best minds can develop defence technologies.
“Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, and its tech ecosystem not only leads India, but is a leader on the global horizon.
Indigenous technology
“Technology companies and their facilities located in Bengaluru are helping us create new facilities in other places in the country.”
Ajay Singh, Director, DRDO said the ATR, sprawling 4,090 acres, was built at a cost of ₹290 crore.
The ATR campus has 31 buildings and a 2.2km runway that can be expanded to 3km to help larger aircraft land and take off.
It has two hangers to house UAVs, radar centre, fibre-optic network, and a separate residential complex on 200 acres.
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