The Government is concerned over delays in developing key weapon systems by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), as many projects are running five to 19 years behind schedule, thereby affecting operational preparedness of the armed forces.
These delays result in cost overruns and force the Government to import weapons to plug the operational gaps and at present the three Services have more than 70 per cent foreign made weapons in their inventory. Moreover, efforts to bring down the ratio of imported systems to less than 50 per cent have not borne any visible results due to these delays and inability of the Indian private and public sector industry to produce world class weapons.
The most delayed project is Kaveri engine for fighter jets as its original probable date of completion was 1996 and the revised schedule was 2009. However, the engine is still under various trials. Non-availability of raw material indigenously and technology difficulties faced during development due to complexities of engine system are the reasons given for the delay.
The other reasons for the delays given by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley in the recently concluded budget session of Parliament were lack of test facilities like high altitude test facility, full-scale test fan, compressor, combustor and after burner test facility besides denialof critical systems and components.Similarly, air-borne early warning and control system (AWACS) was scheduled to be completed in 2011 and the revised date was pegged for this year. Electronic warfare suite for indigenously designed and manufactured light combat aircraft Tejas was also delayed by three years.
Incidentally, Tejas is also running seven years behind schedule and is likely to be inducted into the IAF by next year besides the naval variant of this aircraft also running late by four years and likely to be operationalised by this year end.Among other key projects, long range surface to air missile jointly developed with the help of Israel was four years behind schedule and the field trial of the missile will now take place in September this year. If successful, the missile will be ready for action by mid next year.
Giving this factsheet, Jaitley said some remedial measures were taken to complete these projects on schedule. The measures included consortium approach for design, development and fabrication of critical components and three tier project monitoring instituted in major programmes.Additional steps to improve performance included concurrent engineering approach adopted in technology intensive projects to minimize time lag between development and productionisation of the systems, he said.
Moreover, joint funding users to ensure their commitment towards earliest completion was also encouraged along with stress on use of information technology and modern management techniques. Synergy and better co-ordination among user Services, DRDO and production agencies through cluster meetings was also promoted, he said.
Besides these measures, the Government was also taking steps to stop attrition of scientists from DRDO by giving them two additional increments on promotion to each grade, six variable increments on promotions granted on fast track, professional update allowance and opportunity to acquire higher qualifications at reputed institutions like IITs. Efforts were also on to grant Performance Related Incentive Scheme to DRDO scientists on a par with scientists of Department of Atomic Energy and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).