Dr Samir V Kamat
Secretary, DDR&D & Chairman, DRDO
The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is India’s largest and most diverse research agency, dedicated to advancing defence technologies across various domains, including aeronautics, armaments, electronics, land combat engineering, life sciences, materials, missiles, and naval systems. Responsible for the military’s research and development, “The products developed by DRDO are world class and have huge export potential. These products include a range of Tactical Missiles, Armaments & Ammunitions, Sensors, Avionics, EW systems, Life Science Products, Torpedoes, Communication Systems, Engineering Systems, EO systems, and more,” said Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) and Chairman of DRDO. In an interview with Aeromag, he discusses DRDO’s current programmes, products, export potential, participation in ADAS, and long-term goals.
Being the apex organisation in India’s defence research and development, could you elaborate on how DRDO is projecting India as a major defence power? What are the latest initiatives aimed at enhancing India’s defence capabilities?
DRDO has taken many significant steps towards strengthening India’s defence capabilities. DRDO is engaged in system definition, design and development of many state-of-the-art military systems and technologies for realising the goals of ‘Make in India and Make for the World’ like Missiles and missile-based Air Defence System, Light Combat Aircraft, Main Battle Tanks, Gun System, UAVs, Counter UAVs System, Multi-barrel Rocket Launcher, Radars, Naval Systems and Soldier Support System. In doing so with its industry production partners, DRDO has catalyzed the military-industrial ecosystem in India. With DRDO’s R&D support, Indian industry is now capable to produce quality defence systems for export, which would help in establishing/nurturing a long-term relationship with friendly countries as well as strengthening their Defence Forces and Homeland Security. We are increasingly working with Academia and Industry to develop a robust Defence R&D ecosystem in the country.
Given the government’s strong push for self-reliance in defence, what specific strategies are DRDO implementing to accelerate the pace of indigenisation in the defence?
Defence R&D has been opened up for industry, start-ups and academia with 25 per cent of defence R&D budget earmarked for the purpose. This is being implemented through various existing schemes and new schemes have been proposed. Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme executed by DRDO supports indigenous development of components, products, systems and technologies by MSMEs and Start-ups. Funding under TDF scheme has been enhanced from
Rs 10 crore to Rs 50 crore per Project. The ‘Development cum Production Partner (DcPP)’ model of DRDO is implemented where-in Industry is taken up as DcPP in system development projects. Both development and production units are manufactured by industry along with life cycle support. DRDO test facilities have been opened to the industries for utilisation.
The test facilities have been listed on DRDO website and have been communicated to them. The facilities are being utilized by the industries. Two Defence Industrial Corridors have been set up in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to catalyse indigenous production of defence and aerospace-related items.
Industries have been provided with free access for DRDO patents.
Lists of systems which will be developed by industry only, have been identified by DRDO. DRDO will not develop such systems. DRDO is skilling youth (Internships, apprenticeship, electives in B Tech, M Tech courses) to make ready for Defence industries.
Could you elaborate on the key focus areas for DRDO’s research and development efforts in the coming years? How is DRDO adapting to the rapidly evolving technological landscape in the defence sector?
Key focus areas for DRDO’s R&D efforts in the coming years are the new and emerging areas of technology applications such as artificial intelligence and robotics, drone-based systems and anti-drone systems based on requirements of user agencies.
DRDO aims to the future requirements for the defence services with advanced systems and technologies like AMCA, LCA Mk II, long-range radars, advanced missile technologies, Arjun Mk II and even Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV), Quantum technology, photonics, cyber technology and space technologies etc. With the changing geopolitical scenario and a rapidly evolving technological landscape, DRDO has adapted itself to the developments without losing focus of its primary aim of establishing self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
India has made significant strides in missile technology and DRDO now completed the test flight of Phase II ballistic missile system. What are the future plans for expanding the missile arsenal? How is DRDO balancing the need for strategic deterrence with the development of tactical missile systems?
DRDO is setting its focus on the development of new-generation missile systems. DRDO and the Indian Navy have recently conducted back-to-back successful flight tests of the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM).
These consecutive tests not only demonstrate the weapon system’s reliability but also validate the recent upgrades made to various components of the system. This will significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy and serve as a force multiplier.
India’s first indigenously developed New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (NGARM/RudraM-I) was successfully flight tested in May this year. The purpose of this successful flight test was to showcase the warhead’s operation during the missile’s terminal phase. We are also focusing on Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle ( MIRV) technology.
DRDO’s pursuit of excellence in missile technology is evident from the rapid pace of development and testing projectiles. Along with the indigenous development of tactical missiles, DRDO is also focussing on strategic missile systems required for the deterrence and defence of the country. It is developing New Generation missiles that can further our deterrence.
The use of drones has revolutionised warfare. How is DRDO contributing to the development of indigenous drone and anti-drone technology for both military and civilian applications? What are the challenges and opportunities in this domain?
DRDO has successfully carried out a flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga in Karnataka last year. The successful flying demonstration of this autonomous stealth UAV is a testimony to maturity in the technology readiness levels in the country.
DRDO is making drone based systems and anti-drone systems based on the requirements of User Agencies. DRDO has developed a comprehensive integrated Anti-Drone System which comprises of detection, identification and neutralization of a drone.
The Drone Detect, Deter and Destroy system (D4S) is the first indigenously developed anti-drone system that was inducted into the Indian Armed Forces. The Counter Drone System (D4 System) is capable of performing real time search, detection, tracking and neutralization (Soft/ Hard Kill) of the flying drones. DRDO is now focussing on high endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) while the capability for smaller drones exists with the industry.
India aims to become a major exporter of defence equipment. What steps is DRDO taking to enhance the export potential of its products? How can DRDO support the growth of the domestic defence industry for exports?
The products developed by DRDO are world class and have huge export potential. These products include range of Tactical Missiles, Armaments & Ammunitions, Sensors, Avionics, EW systems, Life Science Products, Torpedoes, Communication Systems, Engineering Systems, EO systems and so on. DRDO is extending all support required by the industries to become the exporter of indigenous defence products. DRDO provides Transfer of Technology, hand holding support and necessary policy framework to facilitate Indian industries for exports.
A number of advance test facilities and equipments are available at the Labs for trial & testing the products before acceptance by the User. DRDO supports industry in evolving the specifications of the export variant of the products (based on DRDO technology) to enable industry to respond to the RFPs of friendly nations. DRDO provides access to the world-class high-end test facilities to Indian industries involved in designing, developing and manufacturing.
DRDO supports industries in evolving the specifications of the export variant of the products (based on DRDO technology) to enable industries to respond to the RFPs. DRDO also carries out customization in the product to meet the requirement of customer countries based on the requirement of the Industries.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is promulgated to assist Indian Industry to export products developed with DRDO support. An export compendium, comprising of DRDO products having potential of export, has also been prepared along with details of manufacturing industries.
How is DRDO fostering partnerships with the private sector to accelerate defence innovation? What are the key success factors for such collaborations?
DRDO is extending support to the private sector in R & D and together they can come up with new innovations to build faster & better in the times to come. DRDO supports Indian industry during their technology and products development by extending Test Facilities. DRDO engages industry as Development Cum Production Partner (DcPP)/ Development Partners (DP)/ Production Agency (PA) during the execution of its projects and programmes. DRDO provides the relevant ‘know-how’ in the form of Technology Transfer Documents (TTD) and handholding support to Indian industry.
DRDO is collaborating of with private sector industry, MSMEs and academia to focus on deep tech areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber security, unmanned systems, advanced materials including dual use technology, where rapid innovation can significantly enhance defence capabilities. The TDF scheme is encouraging the participation of private industries, especially start-ups and MSMEs, to create an ecosystem aimed at enhancing the capabilities in cutting-edge technology and promoting ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence. DRDO’s initiatives to involve the industry from the initial stages of development of systems, availability of DRDO patents to the industry and support to academia through DRDO Industry Academia – Centres of Excellence, extramural research grants etc.
Till date, a total of 77 projects, with a commitment of over Rs 300 crore, have been sanctioned to various industries, and 27 defence technologies have been successfully realised under the scheme.
Could you shed light on the latest updates of the 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project updates?
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is truly a world class fighter being developed by DRDO. The CCS has already cleared the project development to be undertaken by DRDO in March this year. It is a 5.5 Generation fighter jet stealth aircraft. DRDO has recently started the development process, and the design is now complete.
The development trials of AMCA are expected to be completed by 2034 and it should get inducted by 2035. There are very few countries, which operate a stealth aircraft, so it is going to be a very proud moment when its development is completed. India will enter the elite club of select nations to indigenously develop the fighter stealth aircraft.
How is DRDO staying ahead of the curve in terms of emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons, directed energy weapons, and space-based systems? What is the long-term vision for India’s defence technology landscape?
DRDO has successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV). With this successful demonstration, many critical technologies such as aerodynamic configuration for hypersonic manoeuvers, use of scramjet propulsion for ignition and sustained combustion at hypersonic flow, thermo-structural characterisation of high temperature materials, separation mechanism at hypersonic velocities etc. were proven. A crucial step in the country’s journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat was achieved with India’s first Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel Test Facility successfully established and tested by Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK). This was a major achievement that puts India amongst a handful of countries with this advanced hypersonic testing capability.
Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) are a new generation of weapons armed with lasers that travel at the speed of light with unprecedented accuracy. India has made a breakthrough in its efforts to develop directed energy weapons, or DEWs, that can potentially end future wars before they begin.
A Green Propulsion System, developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme of DRDO, has successfully demonstrated in-orbit functionality on a payload launched by PSLV C-58 mission. This project – 1N Class Green Monopropellant thruster for altitude control and orbit keeping of micro satellite – was sanctioned to a Bengaluru-based start-up Bellatrix Aerospace Pvt Ltd (Development Agency).
The complete project has been carried out by the Development Agency under guidance of Project Monitoring & Mentoring Group of DRDO.
