The Hindu Business Line : DRDO to seek tech partnerships

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Bangalore Feb. 9 The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) says it will seek out domestic and international industry partners to meet its 15-year road map for future technologies for the armed forces.

The next focus will be the development of MCA and UCA (medium combat aircraft and unmanned combat aircraft) with stealth elements and DRDO would look for support from outside, the DRDO chief, Dr M. Natarajan, who is also the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, said on Friday. The MCA is still in concept stage and has not been sanctioned.

The DRDO has 52 premier defence labs developing a host of technologies.

At a briefing during the ongoing Aero India here, Dr Natarajan said the electronic warfare products to be developed would need highly advanced sensors, radars, composites and stealth elements. "I can't say if indigenisation will touch 40 or 60 per cent in 15 years... We will see how to collaborate with Indian and foreign partners" to complete the mission, he said.

The calibre of the labs, he said, has also caught the attention of global majors, who are now keen on associating with them. DRDO needs design stalwarts and scientists, whether inside or outside it, to give it software, manufacturing, consultancy support. It is also looking for supporting Indian companies that can be "technology driven rather than turnover driven."

"It is not a question of money but of human resource," he said, admitting that the public labs were unable match private sector pay scales to retain their scientists and design engineers. The salary gap has also led to 20-27 per cent attrition.

"We have no worry if they join the private sector, but let them work for us (from outside) in engineering outsourcing."

The LCA (light combat aircraft) developed by ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) is reaching final configuration and will go on using GE engines even as the indigenous Kaveri engine to power it is being perfected.

To complete the Kaveri development, the parent agency GTRE (Gas Turbine Research Establishment) is talking to international aeroengine partners (Pratt & Whitney, Snecma, GE among others) and will finalise a partner in the coming months.

Likewise, while HAL is partnering with Russian company Sukhoi for the 5th generation fighter (estimated at $5 billion according to the HAL Chairman, Mr Ashok Baweja,) "We won't divert our resources to (developing) heavy combat aircraft - HAL may do so."

As per its 15-year forecast, the armed forces will need 300-400 LCAs for the Air Force and Navy; 60-70 pilots excluding Hawk; 200-300 MCAs leading to the fifth generation fighter; and 100 UCAs.

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