Reforms in DRDO Should Continue for Better Results

DRDO needs to be attentive to the criticism and take up the good suggestions that come its way in the interest of the nation. But that criticism can not be a sweeping statement. DRDO has delivered to the armed forces. The government need to think truly innovatively in enabling DRDO to achieve its stated mission

The mission statement of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has clearly laid out its tasks and responsibilities. DRDO is meant to design, develop and lead to production of state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, platforms and allied equipment for India's defence forces. It must provide technological solutions to the services to optimise combat effectiveness and to promote well-being of the troops. It should also develop infrastructure and committed quality manpower and build a strong indigenous technology base.

If DRDO completes these responsibilities that have been entrusted to it, India and its armed forces would not have to go around the world looking for equipment and weapons that are suitable to modern warfare. This is the premise under which the institution for defence innovations have been formed in the country.

The DRDO is for the armed forces and that's its sole purpose. DRDO gets nearly Rs 13,000 crore annually from the Indian defence budget in the recent years to ensure it delivers on these mission statement. There is clearly a supplier and customer relations between the DRDO and the armed forces. But it is not just confined to that binary. The relation is also enmeshed with the two sides becoming collaborators.

There exists criticism of the DRDO from the armed forces community that it hasn't performed up to the mark. But that criticism can not be a sweeping statement. For, DRDO has delivered to the armed forces on several areas, that too remarkable products that are, in fact, critical for national security.

Take for example the strategic weapons. The Agni series and Prithvi series strategic ballistic missiles developed by DRDO scientists has led to a credible deterrent capability for the armed forces, even with adversaries such as China. Agni-V missile, with over 5,500km range has the capability to strike deep inside Chinese territory.