The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has committed to meet three ‘S’-Speed, Skill and Scale – besides adding Swadeshi (fourth S) to it. According to Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and DRDO Chief Mr Avinash Chander, in order to fully explore and harness the potentiality and make it economically viable, it is essential to create a credible export market for Indian defence products as outlined by Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi. The DRDO head said the premier research and development organisation has set a number of targets to achieve in the coming year. They include final operational clearance of LCA, user trials of Samudrika EW system and software defined radio, flight test of Indo-Israel LRSAM, first flight of Rustom-II in full configuration, induction of AEW&C, technical trials of next generation ALTAS sonar and user trials of Arjun Tank fired thermo-baric ammunitions, one of the first of its kind being developed in the world. “We have taken two major initiatives to improve performance. Firstly, activating a cohesive multi-layered interactive system with armed forces, defence production and industry and secondly, to involve students and academia to create a workforce of 5,000 to 10,000 in academic institutions working for defence through centres of technology being created in multiple institutions across the country. This will fuel technology innovation. We are also committed to work towards technology leadership in defence”, he said. Describing the achievements of the DRDO in recent years, Mr Chander said production of Akash, Brahmos and Pinaka-I has added a new punch to Indian armed forces. Current orders for production of DRDO items cost `1.69 lakh crores. “The success of Akash has instilled confidence in armed forces to use indigenous missile instead of planned imports,” he pointed out. Highlights of the successes, the DRDO achieved recently, were the initial operational clearance of LCA, successful test of ICBM Agni-5, clearance for the induction of Agni-4, criticality of Arihant, India’s first nuclear submarine, flight test of state-of-art air-to-air missile Astra, test of rocket Pinaka-II with enhanced range of 65 kms and user evaluation of indigenous ammunition BMCS for Artillery guns. “In line with the long term integrated perspective plan, DRDO is launching several new programmes including man portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile, SLCM, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft and Un-manned Combat Air Vehicle, long range torpedo and high energy weapons. Besides, cyber security and welfare of the soldiers continue to be thrust areas”, the DRDO chief added.
Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/
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