Context: 

This article is based on the news “Defence upgrade roadmap: Apex body led by Prime Minister, MoD sci-tech unit” which was published in the Indian Express. Recently, the Vijay Raghavan panel has reportedly suggested that a Defence Technology Council (DTC) chaired by the Prime Minister should determine the country’s defence technology roadmap.

Vijay Raghavan Panel and its Key Recommendations

• Vijay Raghavan Panel: The 9-member panel was set up by the government to review the functioning of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Reset Focus: According to the sources, the committee has observed that the DRDO should focus on its original Research and Development (R&D) goal for defense. 
• Refrain Engagements in Other Tasks: DRDO currently remains engaged in all aspects of its projects, from research to development to production.
  • DRDO should refrain from involving itself in productization, production cycles, and product management, which are more suitable for the private sector. 
• Establishment of Defence Technology Council (DTC): To determine the country’s defence technology roadmap and decide on major projects and their execution.
• Creation of Department of Defence Science, Technology, and Innovation: The panel has also suggested the creation of a separate department under the Defence Ministry namely the Department of Defence Science, Technology, and Innovation. 

About DRDO

• DRDO: It is the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence, formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO). 
• Vision: To empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies. 
• Mission: 
  • To achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems. 
  • Equipping armed forces with state-of-the-art weapon systems and equipment in accordance with requirements laid down by the three Services. 

Significant Achievements of DRDO: Historical, and Recent

• Historical Achievements of DRDO

• • Project Devil: To develop short-range surface-to-air missiles (SAM) and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in the 1970s. 
  • Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP): IGMDP between the early 1980s and 2007 for the development of a comprehensive range of missiles, including the Agni missile, Prithvi ballistic missile, Akash missile, Trishul missile and Nag Missile. 
  • Miscellaneous: DRDO has achieved successes in developing other major systems and critical technologies such as aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, etc.

• Rapid Progress of DRDO

  • In March 2023, the Standing Committee on Defence (SCoD) observed that DRDO had made rapid progress with the infusion of private sector involvement in its research-related activities. 
  • The committee also appreciated the large number of progressive steps taken by DRDO like:
    • Setting up of world-class test facilities. 
    • Signing MoUs with leading industry chambers. 
    • Transferring technology and patents to the private Industry free of cost. 
    • Raising the funding under the Defence Technology Development Fund (TDF) from ₹ 10 crore to ₹ 50 crore per project.

Also Refer: List Of Indian Missiles: Complete List, Types And Range

• Recent Achievements of DRDO:

• • Weapon Locating Radar: Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) reconnaissance Vehicle and a set of NBC Drugs had been successfully tested after extensive evaluation by competent evaluation teams/bodies.
  • Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) accreditation of the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) for assessment of personnel radiation exposures.
  • Radiation Countermeasures & Biodosimetry Research (Rakshak Project).
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehical (Sanjay NETRA).
  • Mobile Whole Body Counter (DivyaDrishti).

Major Challenges Faced By DRDO

• Delayed Projects: The government’s decision to review the functioning of DRDO comes against the backdrop of several of its projects suffering from huge delays.
  • The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence expressed concern in its report presented in December 2023 that out of 55 mission mode projects, 23 could not be completed in time. 
  • In December 2022, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report had flagged that  67% of the 178 projects scrutinized by it had failed to adhere to their initially proposed timelines. 
• Declining Research Budget: In the past, several DRDO projects were affected by cost overruns, and certain projects were also closed. Further, DRDO’s share of total defence expenditure has also continuously decreased. 
  • According to Defence Ministry data, the R&D expenditure of the organization has more than doubled since 2010-11, from ₹10,149 crores to the current ₹23,264 crore. However, as a percentage of the total defence expenditure, the spending on R&D has come down from 6.59% to the current 5.38%. 
• High Dependence on External Military Platforms: India is still dependent on foreign countries for military platforms, and given the current rate of indigenization, India may achieve 80%-90% of indigenization in the next 10 years. 
  • The continued dependence on imported weapon systems may further discourage the Make in India initiative. 
  • As per SIPRI Report, India remained the world’s largest arms importer for the five-year period between 2018-22.
• Working as a Government PSU: The DRDO’s operational model resembles a government Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), which often regards the entire defence process – spanning research, development, and production – as its exclusive jurisdiction.
• Substandard Production: DRDO products frequently do not meet anticipated quality standards, resulting in dismissals by the armed forces. 
  • Armed forces have rejected 70 per cent of the products in the last 15 years because the products did not meet their standard.

Way Forward 

• Implement Recommendations of the Vijay Raghavan Panel: The government should actively consider implementing those recommendations by resetting the focus of DRDO on R&D and formally establishing the DTC, etc. 
• Address Projects Delayed: Closely monitor and address the issues leading to delays in DRDO projects by streamlining bureaucratic processes, improving project management, and setting realistic timelines. 
  • The Department of Defence Science, Technology, and Innovation can be important in ensuring timely project delivery. 
• Enhance Indigenization Efforts: Encourage indigenous production and innovation to achieve a higher level of self-reliance in defence manufacturing. 
  • Standing committee on defence has recommended prioritisation on self-reliance.
• Performance Monitoring and Accountability: Implement a robust monitoring and evaluation system to ensure accountability in project execution. Regular reviews by the DTC and relevant parliamentary committees can help track progress and proactively address challenges.
• Public-Private Collaboration: Foster collaboration between DRDO, the Department of Defence Science, Technology, and Innovation, and private companies to leverage diverse expertise and resources. 
  • The Standing Committee recommended that DRDO tie up with a consortium of industries to create widespread infrastructure to ensure that systems created by DRDO become future-ready. 
• Educational and Skill Development Initiatives: The Committee on Defence recommended that DRDO explore collaborating with universities and institutions for its officers to undergo training.