DRDO & DPSUs showcase indigenously developed technology
DefExpo 2018 India showcases manufacturing capabilities of the country at the India Pavilion. For the first time, the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO, and the Defence Public Sector Units, DPSU, have come together to showcase indigenously developed technology and the manufacturing base in the country.
With the push towards manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ programme technology transfer worth nearly 200 crores (US$.05 billion) has been done in last two years to the private manufacturers. Even if the figure is small it signifies a big change towards enhancing the manufacturing base within the country.
In past 60 years of its existence, the DRDO has some significant achievements under its belt like the indigenous missile development programme. Likewise, even the Indian space programme also owes its success to the indigenously developed technologies. Significant strides have been made in the field of Aviation in the recent years be at the development of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft the ‘TEJAS’ and the Advanced Light Helicopter the ‘DHRUV’. DRDO, through its numerous Laboratories is responsible for development and certification of new technologies in the country.
There is still a lot of ground to cover in the area of Defence manufacturing to meet the aspirations of the Indian defence forces which is clearly visible from the need for basic equipment like the assault rifles and carbines. The shopping list of the defence forces is continuously swelling up on one hand whereas order books of the existing manufacturing capability are already overflowing, on the other.
India remains a huge importer of arms and here is where the role of DRDO and Ordnance Factory is important to rise to the challenge. The DefExpo 2018 India aims to be a great facilitator for the private industry to step-in to meet the huge demands of the Indian defence forces.
Sundeep Mehta