Rajkot: Defence Minister and Samata Party leader George Fernandes said in Rajkot on October 30 that the Defence Ministry has set a target of Rs 1000 crore for Defence exports and several countries which were blacklisted earlier have now been included in the export list.

"Till date India was a buyer of Defence products and now we aim to be sellers. Income from Defence exports were between Rs 20-100 crore but from this year on our target is Rs 1000 crore," he said.

Fernandes told reporters that ammunition from 49 Ordinance factories are ready for exports and so is the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, rifles and propellants.

"Any country that is interested in buying our indigenous weapons is welcome. We just have to market them well," he said adding "several countries who were blacklisted for Defence exports have been included" though he did not name any such country.

Speaking on the sidelines of Samata Party national convention, he said the Advanced Light Helicopter is in operational form and Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and coast guard are using it and a civilian and Army versions of the same are under production.

Fernandes said he is "happy with the troops withdrawal from the Valley."

PTI