Rajnath stresses on indigenisation at DRDO meet
Given the fast-changing battlefield scenario, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday here urged the scientists to keep in mind the theory of ‘survival of the fastest’ and not just ‘survival of the fittest’. Making this assertion while addressing the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), he also said, “the country that thinks, decides and deploys technology quickly stays ahead.”
He also underlined that “Technology is changing rapidly. Any technology that is new today may become irrelevant in 4-5 years.”
Stressing the crucial aspect of indigenisation, Rajnath Singh said, “Operation Sindoor demonstrated that indigenous systems are strengthening India’s operational readiness,” as he commended the crucial role of DRDO in achieving self-reliance that has become a national mindset under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing DRDO’s Best Performing Scientists and Technical Persons, who witnessed the 77th Republic Day Parade as Special Guests, he stated that DRDO’s technology was effectively used on the battlefield during Operation Sindoor, and it is playing a key role in the rapid transformation of the defence sector based on the indigenisation pursuit.
The defence minister urged the DRDO to move beyond the sectors where the private sector has already developed its capabilities, suggesting the creation of a separate wing within the organisation that takes risks in sectors where the chances of success may seem low. However, if success is achieved, it will be historic, he added.
Underscoring the importance of reducing the time between research and prototype, prototype to testing, and testing to deployment, Rajnath Singh asserted that “timely induction in the Armed Forces should be the biggest parameter of our performance”.
He pointed out that the DRDO usually focuses on design and prototyping, and production is the role of industries, emphasising that it is necessary to bridge this gap.
He stated that, similar to international models, a co-development approach can be adopted, where the industry is involved from the early stages, from design to production.
Describing the scientists, engineers and technicians as the real strength of the DRDO, Rajnath Singh underlined the need to provide them with the opportunities to learn, while also giving them leadership responsibilities and assurances that their ideas will be heard. “There are failures in research; we must learn from them,” he said.
