Lok Sabha Question No. 3422 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-05
Subject: Application of Science and Technology in Defence Sector
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Rattan Lal Kataria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3422

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th  August, 2022

## APPLICATION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN DEFENCE SECTOR

## 3422. SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  application  of  science  and  technology  is  being  applied/utilized  to  achieve self-reliance in the manufacturing of defence products;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  successfully  carried  out  the  first  flight  of  an  unmanned ''fighter  aircraft''  manufactured  by  the  Defence  Research  and  Development  Organisation (DRDO) recently;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the manner in which the said aircraft is likely to strengthen the defence forces?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

- (a)  &  (b):    TheGovernment  has  undertaken  anumber  of  policy  initiatives  for  indigenous manufacturing   of state-of-the-art defence products by utilizing the applications of science and technology in defence sector. These initiatives, inter-alia, include: -
- i. In  order  to  promote  indigenous  design  and  development  of  defence  equipment 'Buy  {Indian-IDDM  (Indigenously  Designed,  Developed  and  Manufactured)}' category has been accorded top most priority for procurement of capital equipment.
- ii. An innovation  ecosystem  for  Defence  titled  Innovations  for  Defence  Excellence (iDEX)  has  been  launched  in  April,  2018.  iDEX  is  aimed  at  creation  of  an ecosystem  to  foster  innovation  and  technology  development  in  Defence  and Aerospace by engaging Industries including Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises ( MSMEs),  Start-ups,  Individual  Innovators,  Research  &  Development  (R&D) institutes  and  Academia  and  provide  them  grants/funding  and  other  support  to carry  out  R&D  which  has  potential  for  future  adoption  for  Indian  defence  and aerospace needs.

- iii. To  enable  adoption  of  Artificial  Intelligence  in  defence,  Defence  AI  Council (DAIC) and Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) has been created.Further, an AI roadmap has also been finalized.
- iv. Specific  provisions  have  been  introduced  in  DAP-2020under  'Buy  and  Make (Indian)' and 'Buy (Global - Manufacture in India)' category, wherein indigenous production is carried out with Transfer of Technology(ToT) from foreign OEM.
- v. Discharge of offset obligations by foreign OEMs through ToT to Indian enterprises including government institutions has been incorporated.
- vi. Government has notified the 'Strategic Partnership (SP)' Model which envisages establishment  of  long-term  strategic  partnerships  with  Indian  entities  through  a transparent  and  competitive  process,  wherein  they  would  tie  up  with  global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to seek technology transfers to set up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.
- vii. Defence  Research  &  Development  (R&D)  has  been  opened  up  for  industry, startups  and  academia  with  25  percent  of  defence  R&D  budget  earmarked,  to promote development of defence technology in the country.
- viii. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) identified nine thrust areas for focused research, namelyPlatforms, Weapon System, Strategic Systems, Sensors & Communication Systems, Space, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, Material &Devices andSoldier Support.
- ix. Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme also funds industries, especially Start-ups  and  MSMEs upto  an amount of  Rs.  10  Crore, for  innovation, research and development of defence Technologies in the field of defence and Aerospace.

As  a  result  of  these  initiatives,  many  State-of-the-art  products  including  155mm Artillery  Gun  system  'Dhanush',  Light  Combat  Aircraft  'Tejas',  Surface  to  Air  Missile system  'Akash',  Main  Battle  Tank  'Arjun',  T-90  Tank,  T-72  Tank,  Armoured  Personnel Carrier 'BMP-II/IIK', Su-30 MK1, Cheetah Helicopter, Advanced Light Helicopter, Dornier Do-228, High Mobility Trucks, INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Chennai, Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette (ASWC), Arjun Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle, Bridge Laying Tank, Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS) for 155mm Ammunition, Medium Bullet Proof Vehicle  (MBPV),  Weapon  Locating  Radar  (WLR),  Integrated  Air  Command and Control System (IACCS), Software Defined Radios (SDR), Lakshya Parachute for Pilotless Target Aircraft, Opto Electronic Sights for Battle Tanks, Water Jet Fast Attack Craft, Inshore Patrol Vessel, Offshore Patrol Vessel, Fast Interceptor Boat, Landing Craft Utility, 25 T Tugs, etc. have been produced in the country during the last few years.

(c)  to  (e):Yes,  Sir.  The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle designed and developed by DRDO, has been successfully tested in fully autonomous mode.This flight marks a major milestone in terms of proving critical technologies towards the development of future unmanned aircraft and is a significant step towards self-reliance in such strategic defence technologies.

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