Avinash Chander, who is the Secretary in the Department of Defence R&D, Director General of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Scientific Adviser to the Indian Defence Minister in a media interaction here at DefExpo-2014 on Friday also said that India has the capability to build anti-satellite weapons, but would not deviate from its stated policy of peaceful use of space.

The DRDO has developed a corner-shot rifle for use by forces in their counter-insurgency operations, including those against the Maoists. It is in the process of developing unmanned arial vehicles (UAVs) for use by security forces in the Maoist-infected areas.

India's first indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarine, INS Arihant will go for sea trials soon and would be ready for detterance patrols from 2015.

The Agni-V missile will undergo chemistrisation trial this year for rendering more mibility and flexibility in its operation.

Raising concerns over cyber threats, Chander said 'multiple options are being studied for ensuring cyber security'.

The DRDO has launched a cyber security programme and has developed tools to protect its data base. The programme includes a multiple-layered system with secured local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), secured computers, pen drives, mobile systems and routers.

'We have to ensure securing critical parts while interacting in unsecured space,' he said.

Chander was more particular about the cyber products being procured from abroad. Whatever equipment or software are being sourced from abroad there is no control over it from within the country.

The real cyber security can be ensured by taking adequate safety measures from the time software is developed and from the design stage of the equipment.

Regarding security in the Maoist-infested or insurgency affected regions,
Chander said 'no technology has yet been developed to penetrate the foliage of dense rain forests.' Hence the operations should be undertaken by use of UAVs and corner-shot rifles.

The lightweight corner-shot rifles are made of composite materials and are multi-calibre, capable of firing both 5.56 and 7.62 rounds. It is undergoing final tests at small arms unit in Pune.

The rifles will enable a soldier to fire at 90 degree or at an angle from behind a wall without facing a terrorist or a target. Such rifles were first developed in Israel.

Later in the evening while speaking at roundtable organised by the apex Indian industry body, FICCI, Chander favoured the idea that Indian defence industry should exports in order to survive.

'In the last few years our defence capability is maturing. We can benchmark them as best in the world. It is right time for exports as our products are cost effective. Exports will add to capacity creation in the country,' he said.