DRDO : Achievements and the Way Ahead

DRDO has been the torchbearer of defence R&D in the country. It’s imperative to self-develop critical defence technologies because it provides immunity against technology denial, enables the pursuit of independent foreign policy, and boosts economic development. DRDO’s mission is to design and develop state-of-the-art defence systems and technologies and to provide technological solutions for services. With a modest beginning of 10 units in 1958, DRDO has expanded to 50 laboratories engaged in a wide variety of technologies, from aeronautics and naval systems to materials and life sciences, as well as soldier protection to sophisticated ballistic missile defence and strategic systems. It operates with a financial outlay of around 6% of the Indian defence budget, which is very modest compared to the R&D expenditure of world leaders like China and the USA at 20% and 15%, respectively. A number of DRDO-developed weapon-systems and platforms have been inducted into armed and paramilitary forces. Over the past five decades, DRDO has developed a large number of military systems and technologies worth Rs 2.50 lakh crore.

DRDO : STELLAR ACHIEVEMENTS

The Missiles

Under the prestigious Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), DRDO has developed a family of missiles ranging from strategic Agni and Prithvi to tactical Trishul (quick-reaction SAM), Akash (medium-range air-defence SAM), and Nag (anti-tank). Dhanush and Astra missiles have proven Indian prowess and self-reliance in advanced missile technologies. In 2016, DRDO secretly conducted the maiden test of the nuclear-capable undersea ballistic missile K-4 from the indigenous submarine INS-Arihant.

Electronic Warfare

DRDO has developed a family of land, sea, and air-based Electronic Warfare (EW) systems; Command-Control-and-Communication (CCC) systems; and a variety of radars ranging from portable Battlefield Surveillance Radar (BSR) to sophisticated target acquisition and fire control radars for missile systems. In 2004, the Army accepted Samyuktha, which provides the Army with the ability to detect and jam enemy communications and monitor movements. The Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System and Bharani Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) have also been developed. A recently developed thermal imaging radar called ‘Divyachakshu’ can scan through walls and is expected to help in hostage situations.

Armaments and Combat Systems

DRDO achieved considerable success with the development of MBT-Arjun, the multi-barrel rocket launching system Pinaka, and engineering and bridging systems like the Bridge Layer Tank on T-72 chassis, the Sarvatra multi-span-bridge, mobile NBC decontamination system. The onboard navigation system, electronics, fire-control system, and software of BrahMos, the world’s only supersonic stealth cruise missile, were jointly developed by DRDO with Russia. The 5.56 mm INSAS rifle, which faced one of the most gruelling user trials in the history of small-arms development, has become the mainstay of infantry since 1997.

Material Sciences

DRDO has mandated specific laboratories to carry out research, which has produced considerable success in conventional metallic alloys, metal ceramics, composite inter-metallics (Kanchan armour), etc. Work is ongoing on smart materials and stealth materials.

Serving “the man behind the machine”

Laboratories in the life-sciences cluster are working in areas covering the entire gamut of soldier requirements, right from training to performance evaluation, protection, clothing, and nutrition in hazardous environments.

Naval Systems

Many laboratories are working exclusively on underwater sensors and weapons. The major technologies developed include state-of-the-art signal processing techniques for sonars and homing-systems, transducer arrays, and on-board-computers for torpedoes. Due to DRDO, the Indian Navy now has airborne, surface-ship borne and submarine EW systems. DRDO has produced Abhay, Ushus, Humsa, and AIDSS sonars for the Indian Navy, as well as the SV-2000 maritime patrol radar. Varunastra, a ship-launched heavy-weight torpedo developed by NSTL, has 95% indigenous parts.

Air-strike Weapons

The biggest IAF system built by DRDO Light Combat Aircraft was inducted into IAF No. 45 Squadron on July 1, 2017. LCA also resulted in spin-offs like Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT). Efforts are now underway to build an indigenous Advanced-Jet-Trainer (AJT). UAV systems like Lakshya (pilotless target aircraft), Rustom (Medium-altitude, long-endurance), NETRA have also been developed. Army ordered DRDO’s Nishant UAV, which is capable of providing time-sensitive battlefield intelligence to field-commanders. The IAF and army are widely using the indigenous multi-mission Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Dhruv, developed by DRDO-HAL.

THE WAY AHEAD

Despite the rapid strides by DRDO, India is still one of the biggest importers of defence equipment.

Future technologies

DRDO is researching in many areas, ranging from life sciences to tanks and from aircraft to missiles. Working in so many areas with the strength of 6,000 scientists is by no means an easy task. Still, DRDO has successfully developed many products. But now the time has come when it should restrict itself only to strategic-high-end technologies so that energies are diverted in a focused direction. Challenges for the future should include the development of stealth aircraft, ICBMs, ballistic missile defence capability, offensive-defensive IT, space warfare, and autonomous unmanned systems for land and water.

Keeping the pace

The pace at which technology changes is often mind-boggling. Most of the research that is being done today will bear fruit in the next five or more years, and if there are any delays, the products developed will be technologically obsolete. Many defence projects like MBT-Arjun, LCA, etc. are suffering from cost and time overruns, so when these products are ready for induction, the technology employed may become obsolete. The products should have a short development cycle but a long shelf life.

Collaborating to plug technological gaps

DRDO should develop strategic defence ties with leaders in military systems like the US, Israel, and Russia to overcome technological challenges. In every project, critical components should be identified well in advance, and grey areas lacking technical expertise can be strengthened by seeking external solutions. Recently, India has entered into joint development of critical-systems with other countries. With Russia it is working on a fifth-generation fighter, Israel and India are jointly developing the Barak-II missile, and so on.

‘Glocal’ : Build local, sell global

Indian defence products are cheaper than their foreign counterparts. Indian defence products have been showcased in many countries and generated enough interest. DRDO should strive to find overseas buyers for home-grown products and technologies. As its laboratories move towards upgrading their products, early versions could be customised and offered to friendly countries.DRDO has armed India with critical defence technologies, in spite of sanctions from developed nations, thanks to the efforts of its scientists. Many technological barriers have been overcome, but still there are new heights to be scaled. This is best summed up in the following lines written by Robert Frost.

CONCLUSION

DRDO has armed India with critical defence technologies, in spite of sanctions from developed nations, thanks to the efforts of its scientists. Many technological barriers have been overcome, but still there are new heights to be scaled. This is best summed up in the following lines written by Robert Frost.

“I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.”