Inaugurating a seminar on futuristic combat vehicle technologies, at the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Avadi today, he said the configuration of the future tank should be aerodynamic, whereby it can travel very fast, even negotiating the ground cushion of air. By 2030 replacements for the present tanks -- Arjun and Ajeya -- needed to be inducted.

Urging the scientists to `switch on' their imagination and come up with more ideas, he advised them to give major emphasis to quality at the drawing board stage itself. ``Sixty per cent of the quality is decided at the drawing board, and this cannot be changed later. Subsequently, 20 per cent quality can be achieved in the process control, and the rest from the people involved.''

He pointed out that everybodywas in a hurry to deliver the product in the shortest development time, compromising on quality.

CVRDE director M Natarajan highlighting the importance of expertise in fielding light combative vehicles, said that technology alone could not develop a product, and that design and the group also played a significant role. Confidence to build new vehicles and investing huge amounts without hesitation was also essential, he felt.

Chief Controller of Research and Development P U Deshpande said greater technological interaction between the industry and academia was necessary to enable future combat vehicles of high quality.

Indian Institute of Technology (Chennai) director R Natarajan said the key to global competitiveness was innovation, and that his institute would extend all support required for development.

The two-day seminar will have about 15 presentations and 30 poster exhibits. Members from the industry, academia and R&D experts would deliberate on the subject and chalk out a plan of action.