DRDO and its achievements
The Defence Research & Development Organisation, DRDO is tasked with designing, developing and producing cutting edge technologies that make our armed forces indomitable not only in the battlefield but also in the minds of our adversaries
DRDO is the research and development wing of Ministry of Defence, 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. DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then already functioning Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO). DRDO was then a small organisation with 10 establishments or laboratories.
Defence technologies
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.
Today, 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, instrumentation, missiles, advanced computing and simulation, special materials, naval systems, life sciences, training, information systems and agriculture.
Presently, the Organisation is backed by over 5000 scientists and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel.
Several major projects for the development of missiles, armaments, light combat aircrafts, radars, electronic warfare systems etc are on hand and significant achievements have already been made in several such technologies.
IGMDP
Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) was brain child of renowned scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. It was intended to attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.
After keeping in mind the requirements of various types of missiles by the defense forces, the program recognized the need to develop five missile systems.
The IGMDP formally got the approval of Indian government on July 26, 1983. It brought together the country’s scientific community, academic institutions, R&D laboratories, industries and the three defence services in giving shape to the strategic, indigenous missile systems.
The missiles developed under IGMDP are:
- Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile – Prithvi
- Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile – Agni
- Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile – Trishul
- Medium-range surface-to-air missile – Akash
- Third generation anti-tank missile – Nag
Notable achievements
DRDO has been developing platforms that have considerably enhanced our fighting capabilities. In this pursuit of excellence, the DRDO has helped India achieved few notable achievements, viz.
- One of the 4 counties to have Multi level Strategic Capability
- One of the 4 countries to have Airborne Warning & Control System (AEW&C)
- One of the 5 counties to have our own Fourth plus Generation fighter aircraft
- One of the 5 countries to have its own Ballistic Missile Defence Programme
- One of the 7 countries to have developed its own Main Battle Tank
With the global paradigm shifting rapidly, the need to strengthen our defence sector assumes greater importance.
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