The Ministry of Defense is figuring out the specifics of producing aero-engines domestically to boost
the aerospace industry and attain total independence. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh said this in his opening remarks at a seminar on “Indigenous Development of “Futuristic Aerospace Technologies including Way Forward for Development of Indigenous Aero Engines” that was held in Bengaluru, India, on February 14, 2023, as part of the 14th Aero India. The Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) organised the seminar.
After celebrating 75 years of independence, Shri Rajnath Singh declared that India is entering “Amrit Kaal” and that it is imperative to ensure that all Indian aircraft use engines produced domestically. He emphasised the necessity to concentrate on domestic design and the development of key weapon systems using specialised technologies like artificial intelligence, drones, stealth, hypersonic flight, and quantum computing. He voiced confidence that the DRDO will make rapid progress in that area and add to its list of accomplishments, which already includes the “Prithvi,” “Akash,” and “Agni” missiles, thanks to its capability and dedication.
Additionally, the Raksha Mantri urged the DRDO to support start-ups and new R&D facilities in developing small subsystems, incremental improvements, and technologies through programmes like the Technology Development Fund and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). “DRDO is no longer merely a provider of defence R&D services. It now serves as a facilitator for start-ups, private sector labs, and internal industrial R&D. It is important to benefit from this synergy, he stated.
Shri Rajnath Singh asked the DRDO to develop disruptive, cutting-edge, or frontier technologies and to set short-term, mid-term, and long-term targets. He emphasised that as we work to become one of the world’s strongest nations, we should have the backing of advanced armed forces that can take on any new threat.
The Raksha Mantri emphasised the advancement of defence research and development in the nation, claiming that the DRDO is the standard-bearer of that vision. He praised the DRDO for consistently advancing the aerospace and defence industries via research and innovation and enhancing national security through the design and development of tools. He also emphasised the Tejas as a game-changer for the aerospace sector. The government has approved the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter and the LCA-Mk II for the Indian Navy and Air Force.
The Health Usage Monitoring System for the MiG29K was developed locally by the DRDO under the TDF project in collaboration with Smart Machines and Structures, Hyderabad, with technical assistance from DRDO and Users. This technology helps the Indian Navy improve the serviceability of the aircraft by detecting failure before it happens using machine learning and data analytics on Flight Data Recorder data. Additionally, Shri Rajnath Singh unveiled the AR&DB website at www.samar.gov.in (System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment & Rating). SAMAR is the standard by which defence manufacturing companies are evaluated for their competence. The collaboration between the DRDO and the Quality Council of India (QCI) to improve the nation’s manufacturing ecosystem resulted in SAMAR.
By agreeing to the licencing agreement for transferring technology (ToT) of key crucial systems, the DRDO has provided the industry with the most recent defence technologies. The transfer of 12 technology created by 10 DRDO laboratories gave 18 ToT agreements to 18 Indian Industries. These include the Multi-Channel Laser DEW for 10kW/2km range Hard Kill System, the Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESAR) – Uttam, the Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR) – Atulya, the NAYAN COMINT System, the Unified Mission Computer, the Software for outdoor Perimeter System (STOPS), the LAND Inertial Navigation System (LAND-INS) for Land-based Application, the Traw Additionally, the AR&DB’s periodical and a DRDO monograph titled Non-Destructive Evaluation of Solid Rockets and Missile System were published. General Anil Chauhan, the head of the military, and Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, the Raksha Mantri’s scientific adviser, were also present.
