Operation Sindoor demonstrates India's indigenous defence technological strength: DRDO chairman
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Pic courtesy: Defence PRO, Pune
Caption: DRDO chairman Samir Kamat (left) awards degree to a student officer during the convocation ceremony of the DIAT on Saturday
Pune: Samir Kamat, the chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on Saturday said
Operation Sindoor
showcased India's indigenous defence technological capabilities that meet the operational requirements of the Armed Forces.
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During Operation Sindoor, the Armed Forces utilised several indigenous systems, including Akash short-range surface-to-air missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAMs), BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, D4 anti-drone system, airborne warning and control systems, and Akashteer automated air defence system, said Kamat during the 14th convocation of the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), a deemed university under the DRDO, in which degrees were awarded to 298 students — 206 MTech students, 68 MSc graduates and 24 PhD candidates from various disciplines
Kamat said, "We are anticipating increased exports because of the success of these systems in the operation.
Southeast Asian countries, nations in the Middleast and African countries have shown interest in systems like Pinaka, BrahMos, Akash and Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System. We expect defence exports to rise from Rs23,000 crore per annum to Rs50,000 crore per annum in the coming years."
He said the air-launched version of BrahMos was primarily deployed from the Sukhoi MKI during Operation Sindoor. "We are planning to develop "BrahMos-NG", a smaller version of the BrahMos that can be integrated into other fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF)."
He said the development of the light tank Zorawar was at an advanced stage. "We completed the development trials and will offer it for user trials in September."
Kamat iterated the importance of having all indigenous critical defence technologies with Armed Forces, especially given the volatile geopolitical landscape, to maintain the element of surprise against adversaries. He stressed that Operation Sindoor was not solely reliant on the courage and skill of soldiers but was also supported by a technological backbone that included sensors, unmanned platforms, secure communications, AI-based decision support and precision weaponry.
"Operation Sindoor was more than just a mission; it was a declaration of India's capability to stand strong through self-reliance, strategic foresight and indigenous technological strength," he said.
Kamat claimed that the DRDO was evolving, having established five new young scientist labs where everyone, including the director, was under the age of 35. These labs are focused on emerging technologies such as cyber-physical systems, quantum technologies, smart materials, asymmetric technologies and artificial intelligence.
Addressing the DIAT students, Kamat said, "As the world becomes increasingly geopolitically unstable and technology rapidly transforms the nature of threats and opportunities, the responsibility will fall on you. You are the engineers who will design the next generation of propulsion systems for hypersonic vehicles, stealth technologies for our next-generation fighter aircraft and cyber warriors to protect our digital borders from persistent and invisible threats.
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