This article draws the readers’ attention to the fact that the Indian R&D ecosystem is interdependent and therefore, there is a need to first understand the nuances of the existing system. Once this is understood by the stakeholders, the present challenges in developing robust indigenous capabilities can be overcome and fleeting opportunities exploited to further strengthen the R&D ecosystem and accelerate India’s pace of attaining self-reliance.
The Technology Development Fund (TDF) is an important Grant-in-Aid Scheme of DRDO under Technology Management Cluster, for the purpose of inculcating defence R&D culture in private sector.
Rajneesh Singh replied: The Army Design Bureau (ADB) was created in August 2016 as an interface between the Indian Army, industry, the DRDO and academia to further the aim of providing the army with the best available technological solutions and serve as a repository of technical knowledge. The bureau also aims to achieve self-reliance in defence production. It identifies technology required by the army, provides user requirements to the industry and R&D entities and works to align the requirements of the army with the capability of the industry.
The success of the co-development-cum-production push in Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 would depend on the commercial viability of the co-developed product, apart from overcoming a host of conceptual and procedural challenges.
Ajey Lele replies: Broadly, there are two main categories of hypersonic weapons, hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and hypersonic cruise missiles. The HGVs are launched from a rocket towards the target, while hypersonic cruise missiles are powered by high-speed air-breathing engines called scramjets.
Amit Cowshish replies: The initiative to engage with the academia in the field of defence R&D must come from the private and public sector defence industry, acting in tandem with the armed forces and the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). This also requires an overarching organisation to coordinate the efforts. On the face of it, there are three specific areas for potential collaboration.
While the steps stipulated in draft DAP-2020 to enable smooth acquisition of systems indigenously designed by DRDO and other public sector entities are a right move, they need to be strengthened further to make procedures more robust and conducive for timely completion of projects.
The government’s decision to allow the private sector to undertake the development of complex defence equipment is a step in the right direction. It will help forge a larger innovation system to meet the diverse requirements of national security. However, caution may be required to avoid duplication of efforts and prevent indirect import.
Issues in Co-Development and Co-Production of Defence Equipment
The success of the co-development-cum-production push in Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 would depend on the commercial viability of the co-developed product, apart from overcoming a host of conceptual and procedural challenges.