New Delhi. Keeping up the government’s aim of indigenisation in manufacture of defence equipment and the focus on Make in India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asked scientists in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to establish a system in India where all defence equipment can be manufactured in the country.
He said, “DRDO has empowered the country with cutting edge technology.”
Addressing the 41st DRDO Directors Conference here, he said that despite various restrictions and limited capabilities, DRDO has succeeded in developing a variety of systems, products and technologies needed to enhance the forces.
Urging to reduce dependency on imports of defence facilities, the Defence Minister said, “We will have to focus on research work to emerge as the global leader in defence technologies. And for this, it is important to improve continuously in order to maintain operational superiority.”
Paying tribute to late President APJ. Abdul Kalam, Singh said, “I express my gratitude to APJ Abdul Kalam on his 88th birth anniversary. He was an acknowledged scientist. His contribution to research and missile development brought India in a list of countries known for their indigenous capabilities.”
The minister said, “I am happy that DRDO has achieved the targets set for 100 days. They have also identified milestones to commemorate the 75 years of independence. It is also heartening to note that they have added to their strength in order to achieve complete self-reliance in coming years.”
Singh said warfare and technologies are synonymous and undergo rapid changes. These must be factored during design stage.
Speaking on the occasion, Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria said that technology leadership is what defines DRDO. He said DRDO has been able to achieve the objectives of self-reliance to a great extent in the past seven decades. He appreciated DRDO’s role in Electronic Warfare Technologies, radars, composite materials for LCA, AEW&C, Astra and various other technologies.
He also appreciated the capabilities of LCA Tejas and asked DRDO to develop next generation aircraft AMCA, harnessing the technologies and experience of LCA.
