INTEGRATION OF FUTURISTIC TECH IN DEFENCE MANUFACTURING

VAISHALI BASU SHARMA argues that for a viable ecosystem for futuristic technologies, the gaps between research in the emerging technology domain and its commercial and industrial applications need to be bridged

- VAISHALI BASU SHARMA

Addressing the National Technology Day function organised by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in New Delhi on May 11, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt called upon the scientific community to make advancements in technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), so that the nation is prepared to deal with future threats. Exhorting all sectors of the defence ecosystem to work together to achieve excellence in cutting edge technologies, he said that the government is making all efforts to meet the defence requirements through domestic procurement.

This is a timely enjoin to both the scientific and manufacturing sector for faster progress in defence technology and manufacture. While defence research in India has continually developed new systems with various R&D laboratories, the growth of defence manufacturing has been slow and the domestic industry has struggled to manufacture high technology weapons and equipment. Despite being ranked among the top fifteen producers of defence hardware in the world, the country’s existing defence industrial base has not been able to meet the requirements of modern weapons, equipment and munitions of our armed forces.