Need innovative ideas and technologies for futuristic defence systems: DRDO chief

Technologies and materials used in defence systems are changing rapidly and young Indian students should undertake research and development of new materials and innovative products that can be used for building futuristic defence systems, G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said.

“Technologies we use (in defence) are changing. So there is a need for changing a lot of technologies...Youngsters in our country need to do research in futuristic technologies, work in niche areas and come out with innovative products,” Reddy told a large gathering of young research scholars and college students, at the 106th Indian Science Congress which was in session here on Thursday.

Push for innovation

Many scientific institutions in the country, including DRDO, are promoting innovation in a big way. “What do you need to do research and come out with innovative products? It’s infrastructure, test facilities and funding. All these three are provided today,” the DRDO Chairman said.

Universities and institutes provide infrastructure in the form of research parks and incubation centres, he said, adding that ample funding is available from various agencies and even offered interested persons to use of the DRDO’s test facilities.

“If you have technological idea, a good idea, which is feasible and you have already done a prototype, we are ready to fund you to establish an industry,” Reddy said. The institution had a separate fund called the “Technology Development Fund” for the same.

‘Dare to Dream’

To mark the birth anniversary of former President and ex-DRDO chief APJ Abdul Kalam, the DRDO had announced a contest called ‘Dare to Dream’.

A challenge was thrown open to individuals and start-ups to come up with innovative ideas in six verticals, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, quantum computing, autonomous systems, smart materials, hypersonic technologies and advance communications technologies.

“Each good idea selected would get ₹10 lakh or ₹5 lakh and if it is really fantastic, DRDO would fund the idea to establish an industrial unit,” Reddy said.

He also wanted bright Indian youngsters to focus on cyber security products in a big way, as it was done by Israeli youth in the past.

The DRDO chief complimented Indian youth and cited the example of a 24-year-old engineer from Coimbatore who came up with an idea of interplanetary propulsion system which he successfully demonstrated to IRSO’s scientists, resulting in winning of projects worth ₹2 crore recently.

Becoming self-sufficient

DRDO, Reddy said, has been doing an extremely good work in making the country self-sufficient in defence technologies. Be it a diverse range or missiles, or tanks like Arjun Tank or Tejas Light Comabt Aircraft or nuclear submarine like Arihant, DRDO has done it all.

“This is the kind of self-sufficiency and technological base that has been created by the DRDO in the country for the defence system,” Reddy said.

“But the war and battlefield scenario is changing. What was an area weapon earlier has become a targeted and pin-pointed weapon today. Today, we are looking for a weapon that go through a window of a house when fired from a long distance. The manned systems are becoming unmanned and unmanned systems are becoming autonomous systems,” he said.

The premier defence research organisation has started working on many futuristic technologies, starting with materials. Most of the materials that the country needs for its defence systems and weaponry are already being indigenously produced. “We are still a lot to do in materials,” Reddy said.

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