Latest news with #DefenceResearchandDevelopmentOrganization
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
74 conferred degrees at EDII's 24th convocation
Ahmedabad: Vijay Kumar Saraswat, member of NITI Aayog and former secretary of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), on Friday said that the vision of Viksit Bharat, a developed India by 2047, is not merely a govt policy but a collective aspiration. It requires entrepreneurs to be its primary architects. Dr Saraswat was speaking at the 24th convocation of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) at Bhat near Gandhinagar, where he was the chief guest. He also said that research is no longer an issue with India – we produce great research and researchers. However, the issue lies in producing translational research where the gap between research and implementation must be filled, he added. The event saw 74 students of courses including PGDM-E, PGDM-IEV, and the fellow programme receiving their degrees. Those present at the convocation included Rakesh Sharma, EDII president and CEO of IDBI Bank, and members of the EDII governing board.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, defence minister Rajnath Singh discuss state's growing role in strategic, defence infrastructure
BHUBANESWAR: CM Mohan Charan Majhi met defence minister on Tuesday to discuss the state's growing importance in India's defence infrastructure and strategic capabilities. During what Majhi described as a 'productive' meeting, they discussed opportunities to strengthen national security and enhance the state's role in defence production. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The discussions focused on Odisha's strategic significance, given its 480-km coastline and three major ports at Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur. 'Discussed key issues related to defence infrastructure and Odisha's strategic importance. Grateful for his support and commitment to strengthening national security,' Majhi posted on X after the meeting, highlighting the collaborative approach towards enhancing India's defence capabilities. The eastern state has emerged as a crucial centre for defence technology, housing several vital installations, including the Defence Research and Development Organization's Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur. The facility serves as a testing ground for India's premier missile systems, including Agni, Prithvi, Akash, and BrahMos. Adding to its military-industrial capabilities are the Badmal ordnance factory in Balangir district and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's MiG facility at Sunabeda, Koraput. The state has also witnessed increased private sector participation in defence manufacturing. Sources familiar with the meeting indicated that discussions also covered potential investments in aerospace and defence production in Odisha, which is a priority sector under the state's industrial policy. After Odisha approved the aerospace and defence sector as among thrust sectors in 2022, which get maximum govt incentives, there are some remarkable investments lined up. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Aerospace parts production unit likely in Dhenkanal Leading the defence sector investment in Odisha is Kalyani Steel Limited, which has signed an MoU with Odisha for a titanium metal and aerospace components manufacturing facility with an investment of more than Rs 20,000 crore in Dhenkanal district. Land finalisation and forest clearance process is on for the project with employment potential of 8,200, officials said. PTC Industries is coming up with a titanium sponge plant with an investment of Rs 3,000 crore in Ganjam, while Premier Explosives Limited is investing Rs 864 crore in Rayagada for a hydroxyl terminated poly butadiene (HTPB), a crucial material in defence applications.
NDTV
25-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
India's Astronauts Vs Pakistan's Terrorists: A Tale of Two National Visions
New Delhi: As India prepares to send an astronaut into space, the contrast with its western neighbour could not be more stark. While India trains scientists and astronauts to explore the cosmos, state-sponsored terror continues to operate undeterred in Pakistan, Dr VK Saraswat, former Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and current member of NITI Aayog told NDTV. "It's a glaring example of the psychology of our adversary. While India has always focused on training its people for peaceful exploration of space, Pakistan has, unfortunately, chosen a path of fostering terrorism," Dr Saraswat said. His remarks come a month after a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam left 26 civilians dead. India then began Operation Sindoor on May 7 with air strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "Our space program is globally recognised for achieving excellence at the lowest cost," Dr Saraswat emphasised. "It's a testament to India's commitment to peaceful progress and technological innovation." India's space journey began with Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic flight to space in 1984 and advanced to remarkable missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan. India is also planning its own space station and deep space missions, all aimed at advancing scientific knowledge and benefiting humanity. Next month, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to travel to the International Space Station, marking another proud moment for India's space ambitions. Further, Indian Space Research Organisation's Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit aboard an indigenous spacecraft. Contrasting with the advancements with the situation across the border, Dr Saraswat said Pakistan should leverage technology to better people's lives. "Terrorism is an anathema to social structure. It should be detested and removed. Instead of creating chaos, Pakistan should focus on science and technology for the betterment of its people," he said. With the motive of the betterment of people, Dr Saraswat suggested that India is open to collaboration with its neighbour in the space sector. "If Pakistan wants to work with us, we can even consider a joint space program. We're willing to share technologies that can uplift their population," he said. As India prepares to launch its next astronaut, its message and vision is clear - peace, progress, and prosperity through science.
Forbes
23-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
India Is Testing New Defense Technologies That Mirror Russia And Ukraine
Over the past three years, the Russia-Ukraine War has transformed modern warfare, as new technologies are being rapidly developed and fielded to provide enhanced capabilities to the warfighters. Both countries are heavily leveraging commercial technology, especially in the drone and counter-drone space, to defeat traditional military systems, such as tanks and artillery. This shift has allowed different countries, including India, to become larger players in the defense technology domain. In particular, India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has conducted a number of tests in the last few months on cutting-edge drone and counter-drone systems. Founded in 1958, the DRDO's mission is to reduce India's dependence on foreign defense systems by creating indigenous technologies. The organization currently employs more than 5,000 scientists in a broad network of laboratories and research centers. Despite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on military modernization and domestic production, the DRDO still operates on a fairly limited budget compared to the defense budgets of other countries. As such, they appear to be prioritizing their research efforts, especially in the drone and counter-drone space, to align with technologies that are finding success on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield. The DRDO has a long history of drone development efforts, having built a diverse fleet of autonomous vehicles that leverage domestic, commercial technology. The drones range from the Trinetra, a small quadcopter with advanced sensing and autonomy, to the Rustom, a larger fixed-wing aircraft capable of carrying various payloads. The DRDO is transitioning these drones into products for the Indian military, while further developing them to have new capabilities. In the past year, the Indian army placed an order for 700 Trinetra drones. Meanwhile, the DRDO is continuing the development of the Archer-NG, the newest variant of the Rustom, which has reported range of 1,000 km with a payload capacity of 300 kg. More recently, the DRDO has been testing glide bombs, a variant of drone technology that has been used extensively by Russia in their missile strike campaigns. In early April, the DRDO successfully tested two glide bombs. The first, the Gaurav, which was developed with industry partners, is reported to have a range of 100 km and a weight of 1,000 kg. The second glide bomb, the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon, has a similar range, but is smaller, only weighing 125 kg. However, it uses advanced optics for increased accuracy with a focus on striking airfields. According to both reports, the glide bombs successfully hit their targets. While air-based drones have shaped much of the current conflict, Ukraine has also demonstrated the strategic value of water-based drones, which have limited Russian operations in the Black Sea. The DRDO has followed suit, with its Naval Science and Technology Laboratory testing the High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HEAUV) in a lake in late March. The HEAUV is 10 meters long, weighs six tons, and carries a payload of advanced sensors. It is designed for 15 days of endurance at a cruising speed of 3 knots. The tests showed that the HEAUV could successfully navigate both underwater and on the surface. Once further testing is complete, the HEAUV will likely be used by the Indian Navy to monitor their maritime borders. With the rise of drone technology, there has been a corresponding push in counter-drone technology. Both Russia and Ukraine have deployed a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic solutions to neutralize aerial threats. Similarly, the DRDO maintains a broad portfolio of counter-drone efforts, encompassing both types of systems. These technologies are at varying stages of technical maturity, with two recently reaching the testing phase. In February, the Research Centre Imarat, a DRDO laboratory, tested the Very Short-Range Air Defense (VSHORAD), a comparable system to the Igla-S, which the Russian military uses extensively to counter low-flying aerial threats. The VSHORAD is a man-portable system intended to engage drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft at a range up to 6 km using an infrared-homing missile. In the test, the VSHORAD successfully intercepted multiple small, low-signature drones. While conventional systems remain effective, both Russia and Ukraine are advancing new counter-drone technologies as well. One of Ukraine's most recent innovations is the Tryzub, a laser weapon designed to shoot down aerial threats. India has taken a similar approach. In mid-April, the DRDO tested the Mk-II(A) Laser Directed Energy Weapon system, which uses radar and electro-optical sensors to track low-flying targets, including quadcopters and helicopters. Once a target is identified, a 30-kilowatt laser delivers structural damage to disable the aircraft. The system was developed by the DRDO's Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences, with support from Indian industry and academic institutions. It was successfully tested earlier this month, shooting down a small Chinese-manufactured drone. The Russia-Ukraine War is highlighting the fast-paced future of defense technology, particularly in the drone and counter-drone sectors. While the United States, Russia, and China have long dominated many military systems, this field has seen a broader range of countries rapidly developing new capabilities. India is emerging as a key player. Recent testing by the DRDO shows India's ability to quickly develop critical drone and counter-drone technologies that have found success on the modern battlefield. As these systems mature, they will equip Indian forces and potentially support foreign military sales, boosting India's presence in the global arms market. More broadly, these efforts will strengthen India's defense industrial base, allowing India to position itself to be a more self-reliant and agile force in the evolving global defense landscape.
