67th Foundation Day of DRDO

• 07 Jan 2025

For Prelims: Defence Research and Development Organisation, unmanned aerial vehicles, sonar systems, Air Defence Tactical Control Radar , Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile , Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile , Trishul, Akash,BrahMos 

For Mains: Contributions of DRDO in India’s defense sector, Defense Technologies 

Source: PIB 

Why in News?  

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrated its 67^th Foundation Day on 1^st January and paid tributes to former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the Missile Man of India  

• The event highlighted the significant strides DRDO has made in bolstering India’s defense capabilities.  

What are the Key Facts About DRDO? 

• About: DRDO was established in 1958 by merging the Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army, the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP), and the Defence Science Organisation (DSO). 
  • DRDO is the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. 
  • DRDO initially had 10 laboratories, it currently operates 41 laboratories and 5 DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs). 
• Philosophy: The guiding principle of DRDO is "Balasya Mulam Vigyanam" (Strength lies in science), driving the nation in both peace and war. 
• Mission: Achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems while equipping the Indian armed forces with state-of-the-art weapon systems and equipment, as per the requirements of the three Services. 
• Technology Clusters of DRDO:  A committee under the chairmanship of Dr. P. Rama Rao was constituted in 2007 to conduct a comprehensive review of the DRDO. 
  • This led to the creation of seven technology domain-based clusters, each headed by a Director General. 
  • Aeronautics Systems (Aero): Focuses on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aerostats, and related technologies. 
  • Missiles and Strategic Systems (MSS): Develops missile systems, including long and short-range missiles, and related technologies. 
  • Naval Systems and Materials (NSM): Works on naval platforms, underwater systems, including sonar systems and submarine technologies. 
  • Micro Electronic Devices (MED) and Computational Systems (CoS): Focuses on electronics, radars, cyber security, and artificial intelligence for defense applications. 
  • Armament and Combat Engineering Systems (ACE): Involves the development of armaments, ammunition, explosives, and combat vehicles. 
  • Electronics and Communication Systems (ECS): Specializes in military electronics, sensors, communication systems, and electronic warfare technologies. 
  • Soldier Support System (SSS): Equipping the armed forces with advanced weapon systems must be complemented by optimizing the psychological, physiological, and nutritional well-being of personnel. 
• Key Achievements of DRDO: 
  • Achievements of DRDO in 2024: 
    • System Handovers: DRDO handed over multiple advanced systems notable systems include: 
      • Air Defence Systems: Air Defence Tactical Control Radar (ADTCR), Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR). 
      • Missile Systems: Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM), Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), and Medium Range Anti-ship Missile (MRAshM). 
      • Advanced Platforms: Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA), SCA (Signal Intelligence and COMJAM Aircraft), and Anti-Tank Influence Mine PRACHAND. 
    • AI Tools: DRDO developed ‘Divya Drishti,’ an AI tool that integrates face recognition with immutable physiological traits like gait (pattern of walking) and skeleton. 
    • Flagship Programs: Two flagship programs Full Scale Engineering Development (FSED) of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and a new Missile Test Range in Andhra Pradesh, were sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). 
  • Missile Systems: 
    • Air-to-Air Missile: MICA, Astra Missile 
    • Surface-to-Air Missiles: Trishul, Akash, Barak 8 
    • Surface-to-Surface Missiles: Agni, Prithvi, Dhanush, Shaurya 
    • Cruise Missiles: BrahMos, Nirbhay 
  • Combat Aircraft: Indigenous Fighter Jet Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. 
  • Rocket Systems: Multi-barrel rocket launcher Pinaka. 
  • Naval Systems: Humsa, Nagan (sonar system), Ushus (Submarine Sonar Suite), Mihir (helicopter sonar system). 
  • Main Battle Tank: Arjun. 
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS):  
    • Lakshya: Reusable aerial target system for training, launched from land/ship with tow targets. 
    • Nishant: Multi-mission UAV for surveillance and artillery correction with autonomous flight and parachute recovery. 

What are the Contributions of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam to DRDO? 

• Leadership in IGMDP: Dr. Kalam was instrumental in the creation and execution of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), launched in 1983. 
  • His leadership led to the successful development of the Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag, and Agni missiles, positioning India as a member of the exclusive group of missile-producing nations and earning him the title of 'Missile Man of India.' 
  • Under Dr. Kalam's leadership, DRDO achieved breakthroughs in missile technologies like propulsion, navigation, control systems, and aerodynamics, leading to indigenous missile systems and reduced dependency on foreign suppliers. 
• Integrated Guided Missile Development Program: The IGMDP was a program initiated by the Indian Ministry of Defence in 1982–1983 under the leadership of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, aimed at researching and developing a wide array of missiles. 
  • The program's primary objective was to reduce dependency on imports and build indigenous expertise in areas such as propulsion, navigation, and control systems.  
  • The program resulted in the development of key missile systems such as Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag, and Agni. 
  • Concluding in 2008, IGMDP also provided significant technological spin-offs, strengthened India's strategic deterrence, and contributed to the development of the defense-industrial base, in alignment with the 'Make in India' initiative. 

Key Facts About Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam 

• Born: Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam born on 15^th October 1931, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. 
• President: Served as India’s 11^th President from 2002 to 2007. 
• Awards: Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990), and Bharat Ratna (1997). 
• Literary Works: Wings of Fire, India 2020 - A Vision for the New Millennium, My Journey, Ignited Minds. 
• Contributions: 
  • ISRO: Project Director for India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III). 
    • Successfully launched the Rohini satellite into near-earth orbit (July 1980). 
    • Played a key role in evolving ISRO’s launch vehicle program, particularly in developing configurations for  PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) configuration. 
    • Pioneer at ISRO, leading the development of fiberglass technology (fibrous form of glass). 
    • Pokhran-II: Led India’s nuclear tests in collaboration with the Department of Atomic Energy, making India a nuclear weapon state. 
    • Pokhran-II: Dr. Kalam led the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, which were conducted in collaboration with the  Department of Atomic Energy. 
    • Vision 2020: Proposed a national plan to transform India from a developing to a developed nation by 2020. 
    • Kalam-Raju Stent: Co-developed an affordable stent for coronary heart disease with cardiologist B. Soma Raju. 

 

Drishti Mains Question: 

Discuss the role of DRDO in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defense technologies, with specific reference to the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.

 

 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims: 

Q. In the context of Indian defence, consider the following statements: (2009)

1. The Shourya missile flies with a speed of more than 8 Mach. 
2. The range of Shourya missile is more than 1600 km. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only   

(b) 2 only  

(c) Both 1 and 2   

(d) Neither 1 nor 2  

Ans: (d) 

Q. Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently? (2016)

(a) Amphibious warfare ship  

(b) Nuclear-powered submarine  

(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel  

(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier  

Ans: (c) 

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Mains: 

Q. How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world? (2021)