The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the premier defence research organisation, on Wednesday sought a hike in its budget, saying China was spending close to 20 per cent of its defence outlay on R&D as compared to a mere 5-6 per cent in India which was “inadequate” to meet growing defence needs.
It also pitched for increased manpower while noting that a top heavy institution with a narrow base is not an ideal situation and that young scientists are required to work on technological needs of tomorrow.
DRDO Director-General of S. Christopher said there were a few issues which continued to remain a cause of concern and came in the way of the organization’s growth.
“There is a need for enhanced budget and augmentation of scientific manpower. A mere 5-6 per cent of defence budget for R&D is inadequate to meet the aspirations of India’s defence needs especially when China spends about 20 per cent of their defence budget for R&D,” he said inaugurating the 39th Directors’ Conference of the DRDO here.
Raising the issue of manpower, he said it had remained stagnant since 2001.
“This is an issue which the DRDO has been pursuing for a long time and currently a case for 436 scientists is with the government for approval,” he said, adding that any research and development institution depended on new blood to work on technological needs of tomorrow.
“Today the average age of scientist in DRDO is over 40 years. A top heavy and narrow base is not a healthy structure for R&D organisations. We hope the government will appreciate the gravity of the situation and take appropriate measures to ensure manpower,” he said.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar assured the DRDO of all help but said scientists must constantly upgrade themselves and “roll up their sleeves“.
The DRDO should involve the industry in producing the technologies which they have developed. “Hand-hold the industry to make some products which you may have developed”, he said.
Mr. Parrikar said the close interface of the DRDO with the Navy in developing technology products is was well matured. The DRDO should now develop similar level of interface with the Army and the IAF, he said.
