Defence Research and Development Organisation

• 04 Jan 2022

For Prelims: DRDO and its Programmes.

For Mains: Significance of DRDO for Indian Defence, Various Programmes and issues related with DRDO.

Why in News

Recently, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has celebrated the 64^th Foundation Day on 1^st January, 2022.

Key Points

• About:
  • DRDO is the R&D (Research and Development) wing of the Ministry of Defence with a vision to empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies.
  • Its pursuit of self-reliance and successful indigenous development and production of strategic systems and platforms such as Agni and Prithvi series of missiles, Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas, multi-barrel rocket launcher, Pinaka, air defence system, Akash, a wide range of radars and electronic warfare systems, etc. have given quantum jump to India's military might, generating effective deterrence and providing crucial leverage.
• Formation:
  • It was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
  • DRDO is a network of more than 50 laboratories which are deeply engaged in developing defence technologies covering various disciplines, like aeronautics, armaments, electronics, combat vehicles, engineering systems etc.
• Various Programmes of DRDO:
  • Integrated Guided-Missile Development Programme (IGMDP):
    • It was one of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s major works to make Indian defence forces self-sufficient in the field of missile technology.
    • The missiles developed under IGMDP are: Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash, Nag.
  • Mobile Autonomous Robot System:
    • MARS is a smart robust robot to handle land mines and Inert Explosive Devices (IEDs) which helps the Indian Armed Forces to disarm them from far distances despite hostile surroundings.
    • With some add-ons, this system can even be used to dig the ground for the object and defuse the Improvised Explosive Device by various methods.
  • Highest Terrestrial Centre in Ladakh
    • DRDO’s centre in Ladakh is at 17,600 feet above sea level at Changla near Pangong lake which is intended to serve as a natural cold storage unit for the preservation of natural and medicinal plants.
• Issues with DRDO:
  • Inadequate Budgetary Support:
    • The Standing Committee on Defence during 2016-17, expressed concerns over the inadequate budgetary support for the ongoing projects of DRDO.
    • The committee noted that out of the total defence budget, the share of DRDO was 5.79 % in 2011-12, which reduced to 5.34 % in 2013-14.
  • Inadequate Manpower:
    • The DRDO also suffers from inadequate manpower in critical areas to the lack of proper synergy with the armed forces.
    • Cost escalation and long delays have damaged the reputation of DRDO.
  • Big on Promise and Small on Delivery:
    • DRDO is big on promise and small on delivery. There is no accountability. Nobody is taken to task for time and cost overruns.
    • In 2011, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) put a serious question mark on DRDO’s capabilities, citing the organisation has a history of its projects suffering endemic time and cost overruns.
  • Obsolete equipments:
    • DRDO is just tinkering with World War II equipment instead of working on cutting-edge technology.
• Recent Developments:
  • Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS)
  • ‘Pralay’.
  • Controlled Aerial Delivery System.
  • Pinaka Extended Range (Pinaka-ER) Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
  • Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo System (SMART).
  • Advanced Chaff Technology.
  • Akash-NG & MPATGM.

Way Forward

• DRDO should be restructured in a leaner organisation as suggested by the committee chaired by P. Rama Rao for external review of the agency in February 2007.
  • The committee recommended setting up a commercial arm of the organisation to make it a profitable entity, besides cutting back on delays in completing projects.
• DRDO former chief V.K. Saraswat has called for the setting up of a Defence Technology Commission as well as a bigger role for DRDO in picking production partners for products developed by the agency.
• DRDO should be able to select a capable partner company from the outset, from the private sector if necessary.
• In Its document "DRDO in 2021: HR Perspectives’’, DRDO has envisaged a HR policy which emphasized on free, fair, and fearless Knowledge Sharing, Open book management style and Participative Management. This is a step in the right direction.

Source: PIB