Avinash Chander, scientific advisor to the Defence Minister, has underscored the need for a policy to induct unmanned combat systems into the Armed Forces as an integral part.
Many advanced countries, especially the United States, are focusing on developing unmanned security systems, and the DRDO is working on various unmanned combat system projects for aerial, underwater and surface applications, he said.
At present, projects on unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and combat aircraft are under way, but there is a need to evolve a policy for inclusion of such systems into the Armed Forces, he added. “It is going to be the future,” Dr. Chander added.
Sensing a potential threat through dreadful viruses, bacteria and other bio agents, the DRDO is working on strengthening biochemical capability by developing vaccines for detection and protection.
“We have developed a vaccine for detection of HINI flu virus and are working on detection of anthrax in association with the Department of Food Research. They are still under clinical evaluation, and we need to get clearance. It is a long process,” he said.
Sharing details about the upgrading of Akash MK-II surface-to-air missile, he said Akash in its present form was very successful and had met the aspirations of the Armed Forces. It got a very good hit rate, and now efforts are on for enhancing its range,” he said.
On other projects, the DRDO Director-General said the organisation was setting up a centre of technology for robotics at Jagadalpur, and there were plans to set up 10 such centres in Mumbai, Chennai and other locations in the next five years.
