July 11th 2024.
In a move to enhance domestic defence manufacturing, India's premier defence research organisation DRDO has announced the award of seven new projects to private entities. These projects include the development of crucial military assets such as underwater-launched unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range remotely operated systems.
Officials from the organisation have stated that the project for underwater-launched unmanned aerial vehicles aims to create versatile marine battlefield accessories that can serve multiple combat roles. This objective falls under the larger framework of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and maritime domain awareness. The project has been awarded to Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd in Pune, according to the defence ministry.
Other projects include the development of an ice detection sensor for aircraft, the manufacturing of a radar signal processor, and long-range remotely operated vehicles for the detection and neutralisation of underwater objects. These remotely operated vehicles will have dual-use capabilities and will be able to detect, classify, localise, and neutralise underwater objects while keeping key assets safe from suspected operational areas. The ministry has awarded this work to a start-up called IROV Technologies Pvt Ltd in Kochi.
Additionally, there are projects for the development of a radar signal processor with an active antenna array simulator, an Indian regional navigation satellite system-based timing acquisition and dissemination system, and an indigenous scenario and sensor simulation toolkit. The toolkit project aims to create an indigenous system for simulator training of pilots in realistic scenarios. This will aid in full mission planning and large force engagement. The ministry has awarded this project to a start-up, Oxygen 2 Innovation Pvt Ltd in Noida.
Highlighting the importance of these projects, the ministry stated that they are a testament to DRDO's efforts in nurturing industries, especially MSMEs and start-ups, in the defence and aerospace sectors. The ministry also mentioned that the indigenous development of these technologies will strengthen the military industrial ecosystem. With this move, DRDO is providing a boost to the concept of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the defence sector.
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