Suggestions for the betterment of DRDO, an able organisation powering the dreams of Indian forces

•     “The  need for advanced air defense systems”. Indian army currently deploys 2K12 ‘Kub’, 9K33 OSA, 9K35 Sterla-10, ZSu-23-4M and ZSu-23-2 air defense systems. These systems were acquired from the Russians in the late 70’s and 80’s  and are fielded in the front lines to guard against any aerial threats but these systems  have limited capabilities. Akash SAM systems promise to be a very reliable air defense system, but Akash is a missile system and air defense guns are the need of the hour. Hence DRDO should consider deploying long range air defense guns at the earliest.              

•     “Empowering the mechanized forces of army “. Indian army’s mainstay battle tanks the T-72 lack night fighting solutions thus making them blind in the night and providing a crucial edge for the enemy. The tanks are yet to receive thermal imaging systems which can allow the tanks to be all weather and night time capable tank. The home grown Dhanush artillery guns have completed their user trials and India currently uses the aged Bofors. Thus DRDO should constitute a parallel line to ramp up production capability. India is looking forward to acquire howitzers shortly from BAE, DRDO should use this opportunity to empower our home grown artillery guns.   

•      “A reliable assault rifle is the need of the hour for our forces “. INSAS program has been plagued by problems which have been highlighted several times. F-INSAS had promised a solution for this, but the program has been scrapped now. Private companies in collaboration with foreign players will now be developing a reliable BMS. And the forces now look forward for a weapon system that guarantees firing power and accuracy. DRDO should provide an all weather and reliable weapon for the forces.

•   “A reliable afterburner engine for the futuristic program”. The ambitious GTRE developed GTX-35 VS Kaveri engine program has been scrapped after spending more than 2000 cr. Not just the money but the work power and the R&D involved in the project were immense and we hope this will be implemented in the futuristic projects GTRE will develop in the years to come. Can the knowledge gained when developing ‘Kaveri’ be used to develop more advanced afterburner engines for the ambitious AMCA and unmanned projects of India? Developing afterburner engines is a very demanding field and very few countries have mastered this, it would be really proud to see India on this list.

•  “Attracting and igniting young minds”. DRDO is the key for Indian forces call for modernization. Working and developing for the nation is a dream for many but very few realize the opportunities available. India has one of the brightest and intellectual mass, if DRDO can attract the younger population R&D of the nation has a very promising future. DRDO can start a student program wherein students are selected from reputed colleges and institution. Choosing interested people right from a young age and training them in a particular field is the key. Implementing this program right at schools can bring wonders.

•     “Impetus for a more robust missile program”. India has a very advanced missile program and the accuracy of Indian missiles is said to be one of the best in the world. PAD and AAD have proved their capability but India requires a more advanced defence shield. DRDO should fast track the development of anti-radiation missile. These missiles can disable the radar and communication facilities of the enemy. With America being vocal about India acquiring these systems, DRDO can utilize the assistance of US wherever possible. The LR-Cruise missile of India, Nirbhay has a long way to go from here. Air launched and Submarine launched version is yet to be rolled out and cruise missiles are an important part of the arsenal, DRDO should expedite the development of the Nirbhay. INS Arihant has reached its advanced test phase, with this the second strike capability of India has taken wings. But the current K-12 and K-4 have limited range. DRDO should thus constitute work on developing a robust SLBM which has an extended range of 5000+ km thus taking the second strike capability of India to new heights. Light weight torpedos are needed for the soon to be inducted submarines and thus work on this field is crucial. The BVR Astra also will be a key since our arch rivals are fielding aircraft with BVRM capability, Astra has reached it’s advanced test phase and has to be integrated on our fighters at an expedited pace.

•      “Developing advanced eyes in the sky, radar’s”. Radars are a key part in protecting the sterility of our skies, clubbed with our air defence systems these are true nightmares for the hostile forces. DRDO has to look at indigenously developing radar’s for all the wings. India has a tie-up with ELTA and other European firms for developing more advanced radar’s.  Israel has already provided India with Greenpine radar system for AESA radars. These radars are crucial for fighter jets and have extremely low probability of intercept and high jamming resistance and thus can help in easily detecting targets in the air. DRDO should concentrate on tweaking these radars for increased range. Developing Aerostats and AWACS are crucial to keep tab of enemy activities across our borders.

•  “Ready for tomorrow’s challenge through a futuristic approach”. India has to implement a futuristic approach for tackling hostile forces. DRDO should start implementing futuristic programs, drones and robots which can help keep tab on activities throughout the battlefield will be a key addition to the force. The UAV fleet of India is yet to evolve to its best capability, armed drones can help weed out threats effectively with no causalities. India now also has the chance to work with US on drones and this can be a game changer. DRDO has been developing battle oriented robots, these robots have been used for an array of activities. DRDO can now concentrate on notching up the work and using these robots to replace front-line forces specially for breaching buildings and counter-insurgency operations. Stealth is one more field DRDO is yet to attain hold in, with hostile nations ramping up their air defence capability a aircraft or drone invisible to the radar’s will be an added addition. 

•     “Cyber warfare a worrying concern”. The battle’s in the future will be fought sitting in front of a console rather than the traditional weaponry warfare. Cyber warfare is an issue that has been a worrying concern for nations, the recent hacking of Defence officials is an example of the threat. Enemies sitting thousands of kilometer away can easily strike right at the heart of our nation if proper precautions and protocols aren’t in place. Even if the nation is blinded for a minute the loss is unimaginable but id the same is done to inflict damage in many fields the loss may exponentially multiply. Thus an advanced cyber warfare authority is the need of the hour.

• “The best working environment at DRDO”. Lastly coming to the DRDO itself. We all have heard the amount of work that goes behind every single project. The amount of R&D, innovation and dedication put in to a project is immense. It is crucial that the work environment at DRDO itself is maintained at its best.  The employees have to be actively involved in HR development and self development programs. The government should also concentrate on providing the employees with the best possible amenities that can always guarantee a secured and fulfilling work environment. DRDO should also concentrate on identifying the best workers of the lot and awarding them timely, this will not help the individual work more aggressively but will also cultivate a positive race within the organization thus igniting minds and taking the reach of the organization to newer heights.