Lok Sabha Question No. 1135 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-04
Subject: Research Projects of DRDO
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: NANDI YELLAIAH, SANTOSH AHLAWAT, SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY, RAGHAV LAKHANPAL, K. MARAGATHAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1135

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 4 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## RESEARCH PROJECTS OF DRDO

1135.  SHRI  NANDI YELLAIAH: SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT: SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI: SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY: SHRI RAGHAV LAKHANPAL: SHRIMATI  K. MARAGATHAM:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  some  projects  including  the  Autonomous  Unmanned  Research  Aircraft and  the  Air  Borne  Early  Warning  and  Control  System  of  the  Defence  Research  and Development Organisation (DRDO) are lagging behind schedule;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for delay in completion of these projects, project-wise;
- (c) the details of funds required, allocated, released and utilised for the purpose during each of the last three years and the current year, project-wise;
- (d) whether there is shortage of funds in DRDO and if so, the reasons therefor along with the steps taken to allocate more funds for research and development in DRDO; and
- (e) whether  there  is  a  shortage  of  scientists  in  DRDO  at  present,  if  so,  the  details thereof including number of sanctioned and vacant posts of scientists in DRDO at present and the steps taken to recruit more scientists therein?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

j{kk jkT; ea=h

¼jkobanzthr flag½

(a)to(c):The  project  'Autonomous  Unmanned  Research  Aircraft  (AURA)' was sanctioned in 2009 to carryout conceptual and feasibility study for an Indian Unmanned Strike Vehicle. The project was successfully completed in April 2013 within the time schedule.  Sanctioned cost of the project was Rs. 12.50 Cr and Rs. 11.19 Cr was utilised to carry out the project.

.......2/-

The  Project  'Airborne  Early  Warning  &  Control  (AEW&C)  System'  was sanctioned in 2004 at a cost of Rs. 1800 Crore with Probable Date of Completion of April 2011. The project is lagging behind schedule due to the following reasons:

-  Project  essentially  commenced  in  2008  instead  of  2004  due  to finalisation of operational requirements by the user which resulted in delay in procurement of Aircraft (platform).
-  In  2010,  user  put  forward  an  additional  requirement  of  icing certification towards which platform OEM requested for additional 2 years leading to aircraft delivery  to 2014.
-  The Air to Air Refuelling (AAR) capability asked by the user being done for the first time by the aircraft OEM further delayed by 18 months.
-  The project is likely to be completed by Dec 2016 at an estimated cost of Rs. 2157 Crore (Cost revision due to FE variation).

During  financial  years  2012-13,  2013-14,  2014-15  and  2015-16  (till October 2015), DRDO has utilised Rs 157.85 Crore; Rs. 81.87 Crore; Rs 123.45 Crore; and Rs 58.97 Crore, respectively in AEW&C project.

Another  Project  'Airborne  Warning  And  Control  System  -  India (AWACS  (I))  has    been  sanctioned  by  the  Cabinet  Committee  on Security (CCS), in principle, in Feb 2013 at  a cost of Rs 5113 Crore with probable date of completion of 84 months. So far, no funds have been allotted pending contract finalisation by the user.

(d)Allocation of funds depends on felt needs of the Department and overall availability of funds.

(e)At present, 7861 scientists (including Service Officers) are working in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) against authorised strength of 7878 scientists. This authorisation was issued in 2001.  There has been no enhancement of strength of scientists in DRDO since 2001, while a number of projects have gone multi-fold in terms  of  size  and  technological  complexity  and  Budget  has  also increased from Rs. 3120 Crore (2001-02) to Rs. 14358.49 Crore (201516). Keeping in view, ongoing megaprojects in DRDO and strategic & tactical defence requirements of the country, a Cabinet Note has been initiated to enhance the scientific manpower in DRDO.

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