Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Tuesday suggested that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) come out of “old, monopolistic mindsets” and put India in the leadership role in the defence sector, emulating the information technology and pharmaceuticals fields.
“India is widely acknowledged as a leader in the fields of information technology and pharmaceuticals. I am confident that we can attain similar heights in the defence sector too. We possess both natural resources as well as the skilled manpower to realise this potential. If organisations like DRDO come out of old, monopolistic mindsets, there is no reason why we cannot translate this potential into reality,” Mr. Antony said after presenting the DRDO Technology awards for 2008 here.
He said the Indian armed forces had high expectations from the organisation in terms of quality and technology. The country’s defence industry should further sharpen its competitive edge.
‘Achieve self-reliance’
Stressing the need for greater research and development, Mr. Antony said it was time for all stakeholders in the defence sector, public and private, to come together to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technology.
“Industry must show more confidence in the capacity of indigenous technology. At the same time, the public and private sectors need to come up with modern facilities with a large manufacturing base,” he said.The Minister said the DRDO should strengthen its core competence, reduce long gestation periods and cut down time and cost overruns.
“It is also high time the DRDO shed its reticence in working in tandem with the private industry. We need the maximum possible synergy between various production agencies,” Mr. Antony said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, said India’s first indigenously built nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, was undergoing sea trials, while the naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft was being readied for systems tests.
The DRDO is working on the unmanned combat aerial vehicle, while the Airborne Early Warning and Control is at system integration stage. The Kaveri engine is also entering flight test mode.
Mr. Antony presented the Silicon trophy for best systems to the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam, and the Titanium trophy for best science laboratory to the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh. He presented awards in 20 other categories and honoured 20 individuals with scientists of the year awards.
