Greater Noida (Defence Desk), December 15: A high-level joint apex board meeting chaired by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman Dr Samir V Kamat and co-chaired by Indian Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal SP Dharkar twas held on December 13, 2024 to discuss key aerospace projects undertaken by the premiere research agency for the force.
During the meeting the status of the design and development of various projects of the Indian Air Force was also reviewed. Senior officials from both the organisations attended the meeting and held crucial brainstorming on the status of key aerospace projects.
Over the years the kind of research and development that the DRDO has done for India it not only has boosted India’s performance on the international pedestal when it comes to defence infrastructure, but also has marked this achievement with innovations that have made space for India in the global race.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is the Research & Development wing of Ministry of Defence, Government of India, which works with a vision to empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies and a mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems, while equipping our armed forces with state-of-the-art weapon systems.
The organization is a network of more than 40 laboratories and 5 DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs). India’s Minister of Defence is responsible for DRDO, the organization is headed by a chairman level officer.
But over the years why has DRDO become India’s only driver to the global defence race?
First and foremost DRDO works with a mission to make India self-reliant in critical defines technologies and systems. This aligns with the current government’s ambitious project of making country not only a developed nation but also self reliant and Atmanirbhar. India also is focused on shifting from an importer of defence technologies to becoming an exporter and DRDO is the ladder that will take India to that achievement.
DRDO’s indigenous development and production of systems like the Agni and Prithvi missiles, Tejas light combat aircraft, and Akash air defense system has strengthened India’s military. Not only that it has enabled Air Force for several unimaginable operations but also has strengthened the Navy and the Army to operate in tough and challenging terrain and with smooth functioning.
Other than the defence sector, DRDO has also been crucial for India’s industrial sector. It transfers technologies to Indian industries, providing them with the necessary know-how and support to absorb the technology. This not only has led to increased and multi folds production but also has improved technology decreasing industrial hazards.
DRDO also is India’s largest and most diverse research organization, with 52 laboratories and around 5,000 scientists who have successfully helped it make breakthroughs in quantum communication.
Additionally, DRDO’s roles include identifying technologies and systems to meet the country’s future requirements, formulating policies to increase self-reliance in defense and supporting the design, development, and induction of indigenous systems.
With all these roles, it is beyond doubt that the DRDO has become integral to India’s development. But not only it has mattered to India, but has also contributed well to the global defence set up.
It is noteworthy that as Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) helps India in developing cutting-edge technology to achieve self-reliance in defence sector, at the same time it enables India to perform in regions like the Indian Ocean Region which matters not to India alone but to the rest of the world.
The missiles, armaments, electronics and combat vehicles thatteh DRDO has helped India produce, are being used by many of India’s allies whom India supports with defence equipment and innovation.
DRDO has also participated with the defence research and development organizations of other countries in transfer of technology, not only to their defence sector but to industries to enhance their technical capabilities.
To name some, DRDO has engaged in the past for defines research and development with other countries, including the USA, UK, Russia, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea.
Additionally it also develops countermeasures for NBC threats, advanced materials, robotics, and artificial intelligence which have largely been used worldwide with India’s partner countries.
One example to how it has contributed well globally was during the COVID-19 outbreak, when DRDO’s Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) developed a portable disinfection chamber and a special face protection mask.
This was not only domestically but lauded internationally too.
However, this is not it. What is even better is that DRDO, in time to come, is exploring newer technology areas and creating new knowledge and capabilities in order to be able to develop technologies through directed research that is either not mature enough for engineering development or where crucial data or information is deliberately kept away from India.
This not only will write India’s name amongst the global powers but also makes India an ally to the global leaders who decide the future course of the world, other than making India’s dream of Atmanirbharta coming true.
