New Delhi (NVI): The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today apprised Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of 108 systems and subsystems which have been identified for designing and development by the Indian Industry only.
The DRDO will provide its support to industries in this development process.
A DRDO delegation met the Defence Minister and briefed him in this regard while handing over the list of 108 items that can be designed and developed by Indian industries. These systems will be developed indigenously in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) and DRDO has set an ambitious target of 2021.
“This initiative will pave the way for Indian Defence industry to develop many technologies towards building an AtmaNirbhar Bharat. Raksha Mantri has extended his good wishes to Team DRDO in their future endeavours,” The Raksha Mantri’s (Defence Minister’s) office said in a tweet.
This initiative will pave the way for Indian Defence industry to develop many technologies towards building an AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
Raksha Mantri has extended his good wishes to Team DRDO in their future endeavours.
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) August 24, 2020
Of the 108 items, 68 items would be developed before the end of this year. The remaining 40 items are targeted to be manufactured by the end of 2021.
The systems and sub-systems in the list of items include mini and micro UAVs, ROVs, uncooled NV-IR sights for weapons, mountain footbridge, floating bridge, mines laying and marking equipment.
Armoured Engineering reconnaissance vehicle (AERV), Anti-terrorist vehicle, multispectral camouflage net, bulletproof vehicle, Missile canisters, marine rocket launcher, satellite navigation receivers, TR modules, among others are also included in the list.
All the requirements of these systems by R&D establishments, armed forces, and other security agencies can be met through development contracts or production orders on suitable industry, the Defence Minister’s office said.
However, this will allow DRDO to focus on design and development of critical and advanced technologies and systems.
Earlier this month, among the list of the 101 items that have been put under an import embargo by the Ministry of Defence were Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) MK I A, Land-Attack Cruise Missiles (Long-Range),155 mm Artillery Ammunition.
The import embargo will come into effect on these items in a phased manner. The deadline had been set for December 2025.
Singh had then announced that the Ministry will introduce import embargo on 101 items beyond given timeline to boost indigenisation of defence production adding that it is as a big step towards ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
-RJV/ARK
