By NewsGram Staff Writer

Former president A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, on Thursday, stressed the need to establish a military-industrial complex involving large private industries, with a view to strengthening the long-term defense strategy and defense industry growth.

"The need of the hour is to establish a military-industry complex (MIC) at the national level enlisting large and medium industries to be partners along with defence PSUs (public sector units) as its members," Kalam said at an Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) meeting.

"Establishment of MIC envisages not only the industrial development but also creates a number of job opportunities. This will pave way for knowledge workers to participate and contribute in the production of high-quality systems," he added.

Kalam, who has been a scientist and science administrator at the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO), further said that regulations and control procedures are to be implemented in managing private industries for manufacturing defence systems.

He also said that encouraging high technology tie-ups and joint ventures between Indian and other global defence industries will achieve not only competitiveness but also envisage the product for export.

Emphasising the urgency of the situation, Kalam said that India cannot afford to lose anymore time in pondering the issue.