Lucknow: In a big push to the state defence corridor, Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for knowledge partnership with Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
The MoU is expected to provide impetus to further boost the development of the defence production corridor in Uttar Pradesh. The agreement was exchanged between Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary DD (R&D) and Chairman DRDO and Awanish Kumar Awasthi, CEO, UPEIDA.
Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the efforts of DRDO and expressed his happiness in achieving the record transfer of 114 technologies to the industries in last one year.
He said industries have benefitted with the efforts put in by DRDO through TDF and the free patent which is available to the industries coupled with availability of test facilities, which as a whole are the confidence building measures which needs to be fully exploited by the industries to propel the nation forward towards self reliance.
The Minister said the MoU between DRDO and UPEIDA and will facilitate technical and knowledge support by DRDO to the corridor to facilitate a well-planned and efficient industrial base that will lead to increased defence production in the country. He announced that DRDO will provide technical and hand holding support to industries for export of DRDO developed products and also hand holding support for innovation and R&D by industries.
He expressed hope that defence equipment manufacturing should be explored to tap the global market as well. Efforts should be made to increase export market of defence equipment.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath said the signing of MoU with the DRDO will be a step forward towards achieving the ultimate aim of capability-building and indigenous production of defence equipment.
He welcomed the announcements by Defence Minister of bringing out the new industry friendly defence technology related DRDO policies. The Chief Minister further expressed his confidence that the MoU with DRDO will extensively benefit in the development of the State of Uttar Pradesh as well as the region in particular.
Dr Reddy brought out that DRDO will provide all technology support for the development of defence corridor as this will give thrust to the Make in India programme under the guidance of Defence Minister and envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Dr Reddy elaborated that the recent success of DRDO products such as Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) Missile, Man Portable ATGM, Naval LCA, Naval Torpedo Varunastra, Radars, Sonars, Advanced materials have not only made country more self-reliant in defence technology but also provided immense opportunities to the industries in defence manufacturing sector.
