The Hindu : Front Page : DRDO must make country self-reliant, says Antony

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Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008
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DRDO must make country self-reliant, says Antony

Staff Reporter

Stresses greater coordination and better project management

Promises continued government support
Urges scientists to make LCA a success

BANGALORE: Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Tuesday said the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) must make the nation self-reliant in defence-related technology.

In his address to scientists, on his visit to major defence establishments here, Mr. Antony said: “We expect the DRDO to lead India towards self-reliance in this area, so that combined with industrial and other economic progress, India can be considered a true super power in the South Asian region.”

Timely deliveries

He stressed the importance of greater coordination and better project management to ensure timely and cheap deliveries. “Planned and time-bound application and delivery” was necessary in the fields of hypersonic propulsion, unmanned land and underwater vehicles, robotics, smart materials, micro and nano technologies.

Mr. Antony called upon the industry to step in and “translate DRDO’s inventions into mass production” as research and development would become unsustainable if products were not made available domestically and for exports.

He assured the organisation of continued government support to its efforts to develop business models for its laboratories and establishments.

After a visit to the Tejas Hangar at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, he urged the scientists to make the Light Combat Aircraft a success. The entire country looked forward to that day, he reminded them.

Mr. Antony witnessed a demonstration flight of the LCA. The Tejas PV-2 executed skilful manoeuvres. This was followed by a display by the advanced light helicopter, Dhruv.

The Minister was given a briefing on the smart technology initiatives. Later, he went to the Aeronautical Development Agency’s system design and evaluation facility.

Mr. Antony entered the cockpit simulation facility of Tejas to get a first-hand experience of the pilot’s view. He toured the ADA’s weapons integration laboratory and the Mobile Telemetry facility at HAL.

He also visited the Kaveri engine assembly bay and test house at the Gas Turbine Research Establishment.

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