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DRDO: Origin, Objectives, Functions and Major Projects

PWOnlyIAS January 23, 2024 05:29 4467 0

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The DRDO is the premier R&D agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

DRDO: Origin, Objectives, Functions and Major Projects

Context

The committee to reform DRDO, led by Prof. Vijaya Raghavan, has submitted its report early this month.

The DRDO

  • DRDO Full Form: Defence Research and Development Organisation
  • About: The DRDO is the premier R&D agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
  • Mandate: The DRDO is tasked with military’s research and development, for the purpose of achieving self-reliance in defence sector.
  • Origin: The DRDO came into existence after merging the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production of the Indian Ordnance Factories with the Defence Science Organisation in 1958.
    • Project Indigo was the DRDO’s first major defence project, which involved development of Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM).
    • In 1979, it was constituted as a service of Group ‘A’ Officers / Scientists directly under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.

  • Objectives Of DRDO

    • Design, develop and produce state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, platforms and allied equipment for Indian Defence Forces.
    • Developing technological solutions to the Services to enhance combat effectiveness and to promote well-being of the troops.
    • Develop technological infrastructure and committed quality manpower for a strong indigenous technology base.

DRDO’s Major Centres: Cities Name

City DRDO Centre Name
Bengaluru
  • Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE)
  • Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC)
  • Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR)
  • Bangalore Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE)
  • Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE)
  • Microwave Tube Research & Development Centre (MTRDC)
  • Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE)
  • Centre For Airborne System (CABS)
    Defence Bioengineering & Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL)
Hyderabad
  • Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
  • Advanced Numerical Research & Analysis Group (ANURAG)
  • Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL)
  • Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL)
  • Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL)
Pune
  • Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE)
  • Research & Development Establishment (ARDE)
  • Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT)
  • High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL)
Delhi
  • Defence Terrain Research Laboratory (DTRL)
  • Centre for Advanced Semiconductor Technology (ASEMIT)
  • Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES)
  • Defense Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR)
  • Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC)
  • Defense Scientific Information & Documentation Centre (DESIDOC)
  • Scientific Analysis Group (SAG)
  • Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS)
  • Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS)
  • Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL)
  • Institute for Systems Studies & Analyses (ISSA)
Chandigarh
  • Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL)
  • Snow & Avalanche Study Estt (SASE)
Balasore 
  • Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE)
  • Integrated Test Range (ITR)
Dehradun
  • Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL)
  • Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE)
Agra  Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE)
Chennai Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE)
Haldwani  Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research (DIBER)
Jodhpur Defence Laboratory (DLJ)
Mysuru  Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL)
Nasik  Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM)
Leh Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR)
Gwalior  Defence Research & Development Establishment (DRDE)
Kochi  Naval Physical Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL)
Mussoorie  Institute of Technology Management (ITM)
Kanpur  Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE)
Tezpur  Defence Research Laboratory (DRL)
Ahmednagar  Vehicle Research & Development Establishment (VRDE)
Ambernath  Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL)
Vishakhapatnam  Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL)

 

Major Projects of DRDO

Here are some major projects of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation;

  • Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme

    • It was a missile development programme conducted in early 1980s and 2007 for the development of a comprehensive range of missiles.
    • Considered a brainchild of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the IGMDP sought to make Indian defence forces self-sufficient in the field of missile technology.
    • Missiles under IGMDP include the Agni missile, Prithvi ballistic missile, Akash missile, Trishul missile , and Nag Missile.

IGMDP

    • Akash is a is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). 
    • It is designed to target aircraft up to 45 km (28 mi) away and can neutralise aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles as well as ballistic missiles.
    • Each Akash unit consists of four self-propelled Launchers (3 Akash SAMs each), a Battery Level Radar called Rajendra, and a Command post (Battery Control Centre).

DRDO

Akash Air Defence System

  • Pinaka: Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher

    • Pinaka is a multiple rocket launcher produced and developed by the DRDO for the Indian Army. The enhanced version has a range of 60 km and can fire 12 highly explosive rockets in 44 seconds. 
    • A new Guided variant of Pinaka is equipped with a navigation, guidance, control kit and has high potential of increasing the range and accuracy of the missile. 

DRDO

Pinaka: Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher

  • BrahMos Missile

    • BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from air, water and land.
    • It is developed by BrahMos Aerospace, which is a joint-venture between the India’s DRDO and the Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.
    • It is based on fire and forget principle. Initially it had a range of 290 km and was subsequently increased between 450-500 km after India joined MTCR.

DRDO

BrahMos Missile

  • Arjun MBT Mk 1A Tanks

    • The Arjun Mk 1A main battle tank (MBT) was designed and developed by DRDO. It was an upgrade of the Arjun Mk 1 MBT.
    • The tank has been developed with an enhanced firepower, mobility, and survivability, and will incorporate new changes.

DRDO

Arjun MBT Mk 1A Tanks

  • Gaganyaan Mission

    • In the Gaganyaan mission of ISRO, DRDO is tasked with developing space grade food, crew healthcare, radiation protection equipment, parachutes for the safe recovery of the crew module and fire suppression system.

Gaganyaan Mission

  • Vertical Launch – Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM)

    • Developed by DRDO, VL-SRSAM is a ship borne weapon system, meant for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets.
    • It can strike high-speed airborne targets at the range of 40 to 50 km and at an altitude of around 15 km.
    • Its design is based on Astra missile which is a Beyond Visual Range Air to Air missile. It has a capability to engage with targets of 20 nautical miles or beyond.

DRDO

VL-SRSAM

  • Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) 

    • ATAGS is an indigenously developed 155 mm x 52 calibre howitzer gun. It was developed as a long-range artillery gun.
    • Features of ATAGM include high mobility and quick deployment, with an advanced communication system, automatic command, and control system with night function capability for direct and indirect fire.
    • ATAGS has a firing range of up to 48 km using Extended Range Full Bore (ERFB) and Base Bleed (BB) Projectiles and can fire 5 rounds in 60 seconds.

DRDO

Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System or ATAGS

  • Pralay Missile

    • ‘Pralay’ is a 350-500 km short-range, surface-to-surface ballistic missile, having a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg.
    • Pralay belongs to the same class as Dongfeng 12 (CSS-X-15), Precision Strike Missile, 9K720 Iskander and Hyunmoo 2.
    • The missile has been designed to follow quasi-ballistic trajectory and can perform mid-air manoeuvres using manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) to beat anti-ballistic missile (ABM) interceptors. 

DRDO

Pralay Missile

  • Mobile Autonomous Robot System

    • MARS allows Indian armed forces to defuse landmines and Inert Explosive Devices (IEDs) from far distances despite hostile surroundings.
    • It can handle a variety of explosives such as IED’s, landmines, and hazardous devices. It can operate in autonomous, semi-autonomous and teleoperation modes.

  • Rustom UAV

    • Rustom is a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) developed by DRDO for carrying out intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, target Acquisition/ tracking and image exploitation.
    • Rustom can take off and land autonomously as well utilise India’s satellite-based navigation system called GPS-aided GEO augmented navigation (GAGAN).

DRDO

Rustom UAV

  • Rudram-1 Missile:

    • Rudram-1 is an anti-radiation missile, which is designed to detect, track and neutralise the adversary’s radar, communication assets and other radio frequency sources.
    • Through its ability of locating and targeting any radiation emitting source, it can play a key role in neutralising enemy’s radio assets.

DRDO

Rudram-1 Missile

Functions of DRDO

  • Advising on Defence: The DRDO advises the defence minister on the upcoming National Security in terms of progress in science and tech.
  • Defence Projects: DRDO is responsible for designing and executing programs related to scientific research, development, design, and evaluation.
  • Academic Linkages: DRDO looks into the financial matters and other related assistance to institutions, individuals, and universities for the training and study of human resources for the purpose of Science and Technology.
  • Technology in External affairs: DRDO consults the Ministry of External Affairs in international relations related to science and technology affecting national security.
  • Air Worthiness: DRDO is responsible for certifying the design airworthiness of military equipment and aircraft.

Challenges faced by DRDO

  • Budgetary Shortages: DRDO faces budgetary constraints for ongoing projects, affecting its timely delivery and effectiveness.
  • Shortage of Human Resources: There is a shortage of capable manpower to work in the organisation, affecting its future projects.
  • Lack of Synchronisation with Armed Forces: It has been observed that many of the projects of DRDO are not in synchronisation with the evolving demands of the armed forces.
  • Lack of Accountability: There has been delay in completing projects and also cost escalation. There is no accountability for cost overruns.
  • Lack of Investments in Cutting Edge Technology: It has been found that DRDO is still invested in obsolete technology without focusing on cutting edge and modern ones.

Way Forward

  • Commercial Arm: DRDO needs a commercial arm which will help make it profitable and instill professionalism of a private entity.
  • External Audit: The organisation needs external monitoring to ensure that resources are optimally used for a fruitful purpose.
  • Private Partnerships: DRDO must partner with a capable private company in developing technology. It can focus on research while manufacturing can be undertaken by private entities.
  • Talent Hunt: DRDO must revisit its compensation package to ensure that best of the talent is attracted to serve in the organisation.
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DRDO FAQs

The DRDO is the premier R&D agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

The DRDO is tasked with military's research and development, for the purpose of achieving self-reliance in defence sector.

BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from air, water and land. It is developed by BrahMos Aerospace, which is a joint-venture between the India’s DRDO and the Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.

It was a missile development programme conducted in early 1980s and 2007 for the development of a comprehensive range of missiles. Missiles under IGMDP include the Agni missile, Prithvi ballistic missile, Akash missile, Trishul missile and Nag Missile.

Rudram-1 is an anti-radiation missile, which is designed to detect, track and neutralise the adversary’s radar, communication assets and other radio frequency sources.

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