DRDO: Backone of India

DRDO is the wing of Ministry of Defence, Govt of India, with a vision to empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies and a mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems, while equipping our armed forces with state-of-the-art weapon systems and equipment in accordance with requirements laid down by the three Services. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) (IAST: raksā anūsandhān evam vikās sangaṭhan) is an agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence of the Government of India, charged with the military‘s research and development, headquartered in Delhi, India. 

What actually DRDO IS?

DRDO is India’s largest and most diverse research organisation. The organisation includes around 5,000 scientists belonging to the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS) and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel. DRDO is backone of Indian defence system. This organisation is developing new era for Navy, Army and for Air force too. Nearly each and every research and technology related to defense are given by DRDO. DRDO is directly connected to ISRO as well.

History:

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was established in 1958 by amalagamating Defence Science Organisation and some of the technical development establishments. A separate Department of Defence Research and Development was formed in 1980 which now administers DRDO and its 50 laboratories/establishments.

DRDO started its first major project in surface-to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo in the 1960s. Indigo was discontinued in later years without achieving full success. Project Indigo led to Project Devil, along with Project Valiant, to develop short-range SAM and ICBM in the 1970s. Project Devil itself led to the later development of the Prithvi missile under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) in the 1980s. 

Founder of DRDO:

Avinash Chander is an Indian scientist who was Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, the Director General of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development. He had succeeded V. K. Saraswat to this post.

He is the chief architect of the Agni series of ballistic missile systems.Chander is a recipient of the Padma Shri from the Government of India.

What DRDO is doing?

DRDO is trying to give ‘a major boost to defence research in the country and to ensure effective participation of the private sector in defence technology’. The key measures to make DRDO effective in its functioning include the establishment of a Defence Technology Commission with the defence minister as its chairman.The programmes which were largely managed by DRDO have seen considerable success with many of the systems seeing rapid deployment as well as yielding significant technological benefits. Since its establishment, DRDO has created other major systems and critical technologies such as aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, EW Systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, sonar systems, command and control systems and missile systems.

DRDO’S MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS:

DRDO’s 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. Recent surgical strikes was carried out with the help of drones and night vision made by DRDO’s scientists and intern.

Balasya Mulam Vigyanam“—the source of strength is science-drives the nation in peace and war. DRDO has firm determination to make the nation strong and self-reliant in terms of science and technology, especially in the field of military technologies.

Huge project with ISRO:

Speaking on the occasion, G Satheesh Reddy (Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Secretary in Department of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D).)said the technological capabilities existing in DRDO laboratories for defence applications will be customised to meet the requirements of the human space mission of ISRO. Some of the critical technologies to be provided include space food, space crew health monitoring, emergency survival kit, and parachutes for the safe recovery of the crew module and others.