In a bid to overhaul and modernise India’s premier defence research entity, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the government has set forth a transformative agenda. Spearheaded by a nine-member committee, which includes the esteemed Lt Gen Subrata Saha (retd), a stalwart in military reform and strategic development, tasked with reassessing and redefining DRDO’s operations, a blueprint for the organisation’s future has emerged.
In an exclusive interview with BharatShakti editor-in-chief Nitin Gokhale, Gen Saha underscores the urgent need for DRDO’s evolution to keep pace with the rapidly changing demands of India’s defence landscape. “DRDO has to reform itself and move with the times,” he emphasised, signalling a pivotal moment for the organisation’s trajectory.
A central theme of the interview revolved around optimising DRDO’s resources, particularly its intellect, infrastructure, and investments. Gen Saha pointed out a critical lacuna in leveraging these assets to their fullest potential, highlighting the necessity for clear role distinctions and shared accountability between scientists, armed forces, and financial stakeholders.
“We must have a very clear role distinction and shared accountability, right between the scientist, the user, that is, the armed forces and the finance,” he observed. He also underscored the imperative for a cultural shift within DRDO, advocating for a greater appetite for risk-taking to lead in technology.
Regarding the role of the private sector, Gen Saha champions a paradigm shift in which DRDO focuses primarily on technology development and leaves product development to industry players.
“Today, the private sector is quite capable of integrating systems. So DRDO can easily step back now, focus on technology development, and leave product development to the industry,” Gen Saha said.
He emphasises the need for a robust Defence Technology Council to delineate project responsibilities between DRDO and the private sector, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to innovation and efficiency.
“A Defence Technology Council is essential to provide guidance on project allocation between DRDO and industry. Product development should primarily reside within the industry, while DRDO focuses on pioneering niche and critical technologies. As a vital national asset, DRDO’s mandate is to elevate its capabilities and advance strategic innovation,” the army veteran shared his thoughts.
Dispelling speculations about DRDO’s dismantlement, Gen Saha affirmed its pivotal role in India’s defence ecosystem. “DRDO has to go to the next level,” he asserted, emphasising the organisation’s crucial role in fostering self-reliance in defence technology and production.
“It’s time for discussions to propel DRDO towards greater support for the armed forces and the nation’s vision of a Developed India. DRDO must integrate seamlessly into the broader national defence R&D ecosystem. The current structure falls short of harnessing external capabilities effectively, underscoring the need for self-reliance in defence. In today’s warfare landscape, self-production of ammunition and technology is indispensable for national security,” Gen Saha said.
The interview unveiled a roadmap for DRDO’s transformation, emphasising a user-driven approach and enhanced collaboration with stakeholders. Gen Saha expressed optimism regarding the committee’s recommendations, poised to usher in a new era of innovation and efficacy within DRDO.
As India navigates the complexities of modern warfare and strategic autonomy, the reinvigoration of DRDO emerges as a linchpin in the nation’s quest for self-reliance and technological prowess on the global stage. With stakeholders aligned with an articulated vision for the future, DRDO stands poised to ascend to new heights in service to the nation’s defence and security imperatives.
(To watch the full interview, go to this weblink https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-sjOrbAbpQ&t=89s)
Team BharatShakti
