With Indian defence exports on an upward trajectory with recent export successes in the Philippines for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and Armenia for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL), the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), India’s apex defence research agency is showcasing a wide range of combat ready platforms at the ongoing Indo Defence Expo & Forum.
According to Dr Samir Venkatpati Kamat, Secretary Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) and Chairman DRDO, there are several arenas for robust cooperation between both nations in the areas of defence and security and continuation of the legacy of India Indonesia defence relations, opening new arenas for future collaborations, and finding new markets for DRDO products. After having already signed a USD375 million contract with Philippines for the shore-based variant of the BrahMos anti-ship missile there is a keen interest from Indonesia as well to procure the BrahMos missiles from India. The more recent export order received from Armenia for the indigenous Pinaka multi barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank launchers as well as a wide range of ammunition reflect the growing acceptance of DRDO developed products in the export market. This was the second order from Armenia – the first being for the Swathi radars (designed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The LCA Tejas aircraft (designed and developed by ADA along with DRDO labs and manufactured by HAL) is also a prime contender for procurement by countries including Malaysia, Argentina, Australia, Indonesia as well as the Philippines.
At the ongoing show, the DRDO is showcasing models of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, ‘Netra’ Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) and Akash Short Range Surface to Air Missile, which have all been inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF). Other systems on display include the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM), Helicopter launched Nag (HELINA) missile, Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedo, Torpedo Advanced Light (TAL), Battlefield Surveillance Device, Weapon Locating Radar, Multimode Hand Grenade, Bund Blasting Device, Portable Diver Detection Sonar-PDDS, Hull Mounted Sonar-HMS-X2 and Submarine Escape Suite. In its recently released ‘Export Compendium of DRDO’ a list of 156 products that can be exported to friendly countries is mentioned.
India’s procurement systems ensure the most stringent field trials across terrains from plains to deserts to mountainous and across temperatures from freezing Himalayan ranges to sizzling deserts of Rajasthan. Apart from systems already inducted, DRDO has successfully completed user evaluation trials and developmental trails of major systems. Including Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) for Indian Army, Helicopter Launch Anti-Tank Guided Missile (HeliNa/ Dhruvastra), the Joint Venture Protective Carbine and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) etc. DRDO has also concluded major technological breakthroughs in segments including the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile; Hypersonic Technology Demonstration vehicle (HSTDV); Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy; Agni Prime missile, Fuel cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system as well as the Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG).
The Government of India is strongly backing defence exports, which have increased by more than 800 per cent in the last 5 years. With a target of achieving Rs350 billion of defence exports by 2025, the defence industry in India is ably and critically supported by DRDO in designing and developing state of the art weapon systems and equipment that meet requirements of the Armed Forces in India as well as abroad. The increase in India’s defence exports in the last five years is a result of many factors including policy, geopolitics, promotion activities as well as efforts by the industry (both public and private) in enhancing the quality of their products along with the increase in capabilities and capacities to meet the demand as well as the transaction timelines. The one core factor that enables this entire ecosphere is research and development. India’s indigenous defence research and development capabilities are driven and promoted by DRDO.
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