JOIN USDefence minister to unveil aeronautical test range at Challakere on Sunday
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley will unveil a Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) with a multi-agency complex for integrating and testing various Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) at Challakere in Chitradurga district on May 28.
The ATR has been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at a cost of Rs 1,300 crore and is spread over 4,090 acres.
The ATR has been partially operating since December 2010 and full-fledged facilities will be opened on Sunday.
The ATR has a two-km runway along with taxiways, a range control centre with Air Traffic Display system, two hangars, a radar centre among others.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the multi-agency complex will also house facilities of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
Interaction in B’luru
Jaitley is scheduled to address experts of from various fields on Sunday in Bengaluru. This is part of the nation-wide Ek-Bharat Shreshta Bharat programme the BJP has undertaken.
The event is likely to begin around 8 pm at Jnana Jyothi auditorium on Central College premises. Nearly 1,000 people, including writers, scientists, technical experts, doctors, educationists, would be invited. In addition, elected representatives and the Morcha heads of the BJP would be invited, according BJP state treasurer Subbanna.
“If the Union minister agrees, then we would like to make the event an interactive one. Jaitley will land in Bengaluru around 2.30 pm and leave for Challakere for the DRDO programme. On his return, he would attend the Jnana Jyothi auditorium event. He will be explaining the achievements of the Narendra Modi government over the past three years,” he said.
On Monday, Jaitley will hold two meetings — one related to Defence and another to the Finance ministry.
The BJP leader said that the state unit would also be conducting Making of Developed India (MODI) Fest from May 26 to June 15. Exhibitions on the programmes launched by the Modi government would be conducted. Also, there would be interactions with the public and also quiz for youngsters.