DRDO

DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then already functioning Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO). DRDO was then a small organisation with 10 establishments or laboratories. Over the years, it has grown multi-directionally in terms of the variety of subject disciplines, number of laboratories, achievements and stature.

Today, DRDO is a network of more than 50 laboratories which are deeply engaged in developing defence technologies covering various disciplines, like aeronautics, armaments, electronics, combat vehicles, engineering systems, instrumentation, missiles, advanced computing and simulation, special materials, naval systems, life sciences, training, information systems and agriculture. Presently, the Organisation is backed by over 5000 scientists and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel. Several major projects for the development of missiles, armaments, light combat aircrafts, radars, electronic warfare systems etc are on hand and significant achievements have already been made in several such technologies.

Vision

Make India prosperous by establishing world class science and technology base and provide our Defence Services decisive edge by equipping them with internationally competitive systems and solutions.

Mission

• Design, develop and lead to production state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, platforms and allied equipment for our Defence Services.
• Provide technological solutions to the Services to optimise combat effectiveness and to promote well-being of the troops.
• Develop infrastructure and committed quality manpower and build strong indigenous technology base.             

Sphere of Activities/Business

1. Apprising and advising Raksha Mantri on the influence on National Security of emerging developments in Science and Technology.
2. Rendering advice to Raksha Mantri and to the three services and inter services organisations on all scientific aspects of weapons; weapon-platforms; military operations; surveillance; support and logistics in all likely theatres of conflict.
3. To function, with the concurrence of the Ministry of External Affairs, as the nodal coordinating agency of the Ministry of Defence on all matters relating to Instruments of Accord with foreign Governments relating to the acquisition of technologies whose export to India is the subject of national security related controls of foreign Governments.
4. Formulation and execution of programmes of scientific research and design, development, test and evaluation, in fields of relevance to national security.
5. Direction and administration of agencies, laboratories, establishments, ranges, facilities, programmes and projects of the Department.
6. All matters relating to certification of the design air worthiness of military aircraft, their equipment and stores.
7. All matters relating to the protection and transfer of technology generated by the activities of the Department.
8. Scientific analysis support and participation in the acquisition and evaluation proceedings of all weapon systems and related technologies proposed to be acquired by the Ministry of Defence.
9. To render advice on the technological and intellectual property aspects of the import of technology by production units and enterprises manufacturing, or proposing to manufacture, equipment and stores for the Armed Services.
10. To deal with reference made under section 35 of the Patents Act, 1970 (39 of 1970).
11. Financial and other material assistance to individuals, institutions, universities and bodies corporate, for study and for the training of manpower on aspects of Science and Technology that bear on national security.
12. In consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs, international relations in matters connected with the role of Science and Technology in national security including:
1. Matters relating to relations with Research Organisations of other countries and with Inter-governmental agencies, particularly those which concern themselves, interalia, with the scientific and technological aspects of national security.
2. Arrangements with Universities, educational and research-oriented institutions or bodies corporate abroad to provide for foreign scholarships and the training of Indian scientists and technologists under the administrative control of the Department.
13. Execution of works and purchase of lands debitable to the budget of the Department.
14. All matters relating to personnel under the control of the Department.
15. Acquisition of all types of stores, equipment and services debitable to the budget of the Department.
16. Financial sanctions relating to the Department.
17. Any other activity assigned to, and accepted by, the Department through understanding or arrangements with any other Ministry, Department, Agency of the Government of India whose activities have a bearing on the scientific and technological aspects of national security.
18. Autonomous Bodies: Aeronautical Development Agency.

Stakeholders/Clients

Primarily, following agencies have been identified as stakeholders/clients of the Department of Defence Research and Development in varying degrees :

1. Ministry of Defence
2. Ministry of External Affairs
3. Ministry of Home Affairs / Other Ministries
4. Army
5. Navy
6. Air Force
7. R&D centres of other Government Departments, Public and Private Sectors
8. Academic Institutions
9. Ordnance Factories, Public Sector Undertakings and Industrial Partners
10. Citizens of the Country.

Statement of Services provided to Stakeholders/Clients

Services provided to stakeholders/clients are elaborated in the topic "Sphere of Activities/Business", section. A summary is as follows :

1. Design & Development of weapons/systems
2. Help in scientific projects undertaken by the Services
3. Promoting indigenous production
4. Technology transfer of various DRDO developed items
5. Work on up-gradation of products
6. Facilitate two way exchange of engineers between DRDO and industry.

Redressal of Stakeholders Grievances/Concerns

1. The Department's core business is to design, develop and lead to production state-of-the-art weapon systems & sensors for the Armed Forces. The Department offers opportunity to the stakeholders /clients to participate through different forums in the activities of the Department, and, on need basis ensures participation of such stakeholders/clients who directly and actively influence the working of the Department. Peer Review Committees, Monitoring Committees, Apex Boards, Steering Committees and Open Houses are some of the examples.
2. Stakeholders continuously participate in the monitoring of the projects/programmes of their interest with their viewpoints, apprehensions, reservations, etc. These are objectively discussed and addressed as the project/programme progresses. The committees and boards are project/programme specific, suitably structured and are convened at a mandated periodicity. Thus, all the concerns of the stakeholders/clients are addressed objectively and timely in an institutionalized manner.
3. For general interactions with the Services, the Department's Head Quarter has a Directorate of Interaction with Services for Business. For all other agencies, Department's Directorate of Planning and Coordination is the first contact point. Director Planning and Coordination is ex-officio Nodal Officer for the Citizen's Charter.

DRDO MAGAZINE OCT 17