NEW DELHI: The government has approved expansion of BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Limited (BATL) to establish an integration complex for the BrahMos missile. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the Defence Minister Mr. A.K. Antony said that this will be done on the land owned by Indian Air Force (IAF). He informed the House that the necessary funding has also been provided. Mr. Antony said that the construction activity will start once the land is made available by the IAF after they get suitable land for construction of housing for Airmen.
The minister also said that the future main battle tank, FMBT is likely to be developed by the year 2020. He said that the feasibility study on FMBT is being carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
In reply to another question defence minister said that government has constituted a Review Group to promote coordinated efforts across a range of development and security activities to tackle naxal problems in the affected areas in a comprehensive manner. He further said that the Group has Cabinet Secretary as its Chairman and its members are drawn from all concerned Ministries.