With an endeavour to integrate various stakeholders of defence R&D ecosystem in the country, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has planned an enriching experience of indigenous defence technologies and systems during the 14th Aero India, which will be held in Bengaluru between February 13-17, 2023. The DRDO will display a wide range of indigenously-developed products and technologies. It will provide numerous exhibits, flight displays and seminars, besides displaying its flagship products at the India Pavilion. This will include display of products on Aeronautical Systems, Missiles, Armaments, Electronics, Micro Electronic Devices and Computational Systems, Soldier Support Technologies, Life-sciences, Naval & Material Science amongst others.
Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO in an exclusive interview with Defence Monitor told that the display will showcase the recent advancements made by DRDO in furthering Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Excerpts of the interview:
Q: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ is an ambitious program. Do you think we have or can we develop the technology to attain this objective?
A: Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan is the vision of new India envisaged by our Hon’ble PM with an aim to make the country and its citizens independent and self-reliant in all senses.
DRDO is making all efforts to establish an Aatmanirbhar R&D system to provide state-of-art equipment to our armed forces. We have the ability to make the country Aatmanirbhar. DRDO has provided a quantum jump in development of advanced systems and platforms. DRDO has proved itself through design and development of highly-sophisticated weapon platforms/ systems. It is a matter of pride that India has achieved complete self-reliance in missile technology and the most advanced missiles can now be developed in the country. Besides, the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme of DRDO is playing a crucial role in encouraging Indian Industry to develop innovative and futuristic defence technologies along with catering to any kind of India’s security needs. The scheme is creating impetus for industry and academia to collaborate and develop world class indigenous technologies and providing necessary mentorship. Oue country is full of scientific and technologically trained youth who have innovative minds and the desire to contribute to the nation building. India is now among the top 25 nations exporting defence equipment.
Q: The government wants to involve the private sector in defence production. Does our sector have the industrial base to do the job? Can you elaborate on some important
A: A number of measures have been taken by the Government to promote private sector participation. DRDO has identified a list of 108 systems and subsystems to design, develop and manufacture by industry only and not taken up by DRDO itself for development. Under the Development-cum- Production Partner (DCPP) programme, DRDO have allowed the private sector to co-develop missile systems with us and then also produce them. Government has also established two Defence Industrial Corridors, one each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to attract investments in Aerospace & Defence sector and established a comprehensive defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country. Moreover, the respective State Governments have also published their Aerospace & Defence Policies to attract private players in these two corridors. The DRDO has also helped private sector industry including Tata and Baba Kalyani industries to develop the ATAGS. DRDO is no longer a sole service provider for defence R&D, but has also become a facilitator for in-house R&D and the private sector.
DRDO handed over 16 Licensing Agreements for ToT for 10 DRDO-developed technologies to 13 industries during the ‘Bandhan’ ceremony during DefExpo 2022. These technologies are from the area of electronics, laser technology, armaments, material science, combat vehicles, naval systems, sensors, etc. The products include Handheld Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Unexploded Ordnance Handling Robot (UXOR), Semi-Solid Metal (SSM) Processing Technology for Aluminum Alloys, High Oxidative and Thermal Stability Oil (DMS Hots Oil-I), Nuclear Shielding Pads for Combat Vehicles, 120 mm Tandem Warhead System for AntiTank Application, High Energy Material (TNSTAD), Laserbased End Game Fuze, MultikW Laser Beam Directing Optical Channel (BDOC), Shakti-EW System.
These high-technology products will provide impetus to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ drive of the nation and boost the defence manufacturing sector through self-reliance, besides enhancing the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces.
India has embarked on a journey of self-reliance of R&D in defence. Private sector will play a crucial role in taking us to the destination. Both public and the private sectors are the wheels, with which the R&D vehicle will move towards complete self-reliance. With collaborative efforts of the Government and the industry, we will realise the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’.
Q: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the Indian industry to achieve the target of USD 5 billion in exports. How can DRDO help in achieving this target?
A: The government aims to achieve exports of defence goods & services to the tune of $5 billion in next five years. DRDO is giving all possible support to private sector to achieve this target. DRDO has come up with many initiatives that include zero fee for transfer of technology (ToT), free access to over 450 patents, open test facilities etc. Besides, TDF scheme executed by DRDO supports indigenous development of components, products, systems and technologies by MSMEs and start-ups. DRDO is ensuring the participation of industry as Development cum Production Partners (DcPP) and Production Agencies (PA) in the projects. DRDO test facilities have been opened up for industries and guidelines for GOCO (Government Owned and Company Operated) have been promulgated. More than 900 licensing agreements for ToT have been signed with industries. Even critical systems like missiles have been opened to the private industry.
DRDO has also come out with a Compendium, collating the information on “DRDO Products for Export”. This compendium provides handy information to our industries to venture out and discuss the export opportunities with the customer countries.
BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) recently signed a contract with the Department of National Defence of Philippines for supply of Shore Based Anti-Ship Missile System. The BAPL is a joint venture company of DRDO. The contract is an important step forward for Government of India’s policy of promoting responsible defence exports.
Government has already given approval for Export of DRDO’s Akash Missile System. Akash is a Surface to Air Missile developed by DRDO with a range of 25 Kms. The export version of Akash will be different from System currently deployed with Indian Armed Forces. Besides Akash, there is interest coming in other major platforms like Coastal Surveillance System, Radars and Air platforms.
Q: In 2020, DRDO tested the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet system for propulsion, called the Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle or HSTDV. Any development in this direction?
A: DRDO has successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV). The scramjet engine developed by DRDO helped the flight achieve a speed 6 times the speed of sound! Very few countries have such capability today. With this successful demonstration, India entered into the hypersonic regime paving way for advanced hypersonic Vehicles. Many critical technologies such as aerodynamic configuration for hypersonic manoeuvers, use of scramjet propulsion for ignition and sustained combustion at hypersonic flow, thermo-structural characterisation of high temperature materials, separation mechanism at hypersonic velocities etc. were proven.
An advanced Hypersonic Wind Tunnel (HWT) test facility has been established by DRDO at Hyderabad, which was inaugurated in Dec 2020 by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri. The state-of-the-art HWT Test facility is pressure vacuum driven enclosed free jet facility having nozzle exit diameter of 1 meter and will simulate Mach No 5 to 12 (Mach represents the multiplication factor to the speed of sound). After USA and Russia, India is the third country to have such a large facility in terms of size and operating capability. It is an indigenous development and an outcome of synergistic partnership with Indian industries.
Q: Any other technological breakthroughs, especially in the hi-tech field?
A: DRDO is playing a crucial role in strengthening national security. We are constantly working to enhance our strategic capabilities. Be it technology or products, services or facilities. Development of Quantum technology by DRDO is one such field, where a joint team of scientists from DRDO and IIT Delhi, for the first time in the country successfully demonstrated Quantum Key Distribution link between Prayagraj and Vindhyachal in Uttar Pradesh, a distance of more than 100 kilometres. This technology will enable our security agencies to plan a suitable quantum communication network with indigenous technology backbone.
In a major achievement towards autonomous aircraft, maiden flight of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator was successfully done by DRDO in July 2022. This flight marks a major milestone for proving critical technologies towards development of future unmanned aircrafts.
The construction of a Flight Control System Integration complex in Bengaluru was completed in 45 days, setting a unique record of completing a permanent building of seven stories with hybrid construction technology for the first time in the history of construction industry in the country. The technology has been developed by DRDO with the help of M/s Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
Spearheading the innovations under ‘Make in India’ program, the Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme of DRDO , promulgates the development of defence and dual-use systems, subsystems, Components or technologies, for a product that is Indian Designed, Developed and manufactured (IDDM). The idea is mainly to promote Micro, small, Medium Enterprises (MSME) including Start-Ups to develop innovative products for our forces. DRDO looks forward to technically competent companies with futuristic ideas and vision for marching ahead in service of the Nation.
Q: Any other information beneficial for our readers.
A: The DRDO is developing technologies for all major defence domains and has been participating in this exhibition in a big way in all its editions. The Organisation with its vast defence design and development capability has been working towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and has taken up many policy initiatives to work closely with all stakeholders of the ecosystem. The 14th edition of Aero India international air show, scheduled to be held from February 13 to 17, 2023 in Bengaluru, DRDO is going to exhibit it’s latest defence technologies and demonstrate many systems. Organised biennially, Aero India is a platform for aerospace enthusiasts, prospective defence industries, aspirant start-ups and all other stakeholders to participate and witness the advances in global defence and aerospace fields and interact with many national and international delegations and industries. With an endeavour to integrate various stakeholders of defence systems development in the country, the DRDO has planned an enriching experience of indigenous defence technologies and systems for display at the mega event. The exhibition of DRDO at Aero India 2023 is an excellent opportunity for Indian aerospace community to foster the cause of indigenous development of military systems and technologies with the spirit of self-reliance and national pride.