The Hindu : National : Overhaul of DRDO likely

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National

Overhaul of DRDO likely

Ravi Sharma

Rama Rao panel submitted its report in March

Bangalore: Facing flak for falling behind on delivery schedules and incurring cost overruns in most of its projects, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) may soon be forced to undertake a structural makeover.

A 180-odd page report submitted by the P. Rama Rao Committee to Defence Minister A.K. Antony in March may become the blueprint for this much needed transformation. One that includes steps for better synergy between the DRDO and the users of most of its products (the armed forces), a reduction and rationalisation of laboratories, greater interaction and collaboration with the industry and focusing on 10 to 14 critical projects such as missiles, anti-missiles systems, the light combat aircraft, aero engines, electronic warfare, and high altitude weaponised unmanned aerial vehicles.

Tasked in January 2007 by Mr. Antony with auditng and recommending changes for the DRDO’s improvement, the eight-member committee headed by P. Rama Rao, a former Secretary at the Science and Technology Department, is the first external assessment of the 50-year-old DRDO.

The organisation has a budget of over Rs.5,000 crore and employs 29,000 people — including 7,500 engineers and, 11,500 scientists and technical staff – in its 52 laboratories.

Ministry of Defence sources told The Hindu that Mr. Antony handed over copies of the report to his Scientific Adviser, who concurrently holds the post of DRDO Director-General, the three service chiefs and the Defence Secretary for their perusal. The Scientific Adviser has in turn set up five in-house sub-committees to help him formulate the DRDO’s response to the recommendations.

A senior member said the sub-committees would highlight which of the recommendations could be implemented immediately, which could be put on hold and which could not be done at all. Once the views are collated, an operative draft will be presented to the Cabinet Committee on Security.

The committee suggested that the Scientific Adviser should essay a visionary role — advising the government, the Ministry of Defence and the Service Chiefs on the latest defence technologies and trends in warfare. The executive working of the organisation should be handled by four or five Directors-General (DGs) who will be appointed to head major core groups such as aerospace, missiles, naval systems and health sciences. Directors of the various laboratories will report to these DGs.

The DGs and the laboratory directors are to be made totally accountable and answerable to the Ministry of Defence and the Service Chiefs for any delays or cost overruns.

An official connected with the Committee told The Hindu that the recommendations included the setting up of a Defence Technology Commission (DTC) to the Defence Minister, a think tank on military research. “With a significant say in the defence purchases, the DTC will not only allow the DRDO to offer advice in acquisition of weapon systems, but also help formulate a national-level policy on the indigenous projects.”

Acknowledging the success of the Indo-Russian joint venture for the Brahmos missile system, the committee recommended that the DRDO go in for more such partnerships with the industry.

Another significant suggestion is for the industry, whether private or public, to purchase the intellectual property rights (IPR) for a product developed by the DRDO.

The organisation would transfer the IPR to the industrial house which would then set up a design department for further development of the product.

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