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**wbeachcomber** · 03-21-2012, 01:23 AM

''Evolve own strategy for self reliance'', says Antony to DRDO

New Delhi, Mar 19 (ANI): Defence Minister A.K. Antony has called upon the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to take a relook at the goal of self-reliance in a globalized economy.

In his inaugural address to the 36th DRDO Directors'' Conference here today, Antony said: "Today, we are again standing at the crossroads, where the imperative need for modernization in a globalized environment is exerting pressure on the very essence of ''Self Reliance''. In such a scenario, we need to evolve our own strategy for ''Self Reliance in 21st Century''."

Stressing on the need to meet the timelines of the three services, Antony said: "No doubt, there may be a few legitimate reasons for the delay, but we must make every effort to strictly adhere to timelines. DRDO can win the confidence and trust of the Users, i.e., our Armed Forces, only if it meets timelines and delivers the best and the latest equipment and weapon systems."

The Defence Minister underlined the need for synergy between the DRDO and the Services.

"The single most important facet of your operations must be the DRDO-User relation. Both the Services and DRDO must increase their synergy, while finalizing developmental projects and strategies. Secondly, I would like our Armed Forces to actively participate in development programmes, both in management, as well as implementation to ensure that more indigenous systems are inducted," he said.

Antony further said the government recently approved technology acquisition through offsets.

"We must leverage offsets to bring in critical technologies to provide a further boost to our existing capability. Today, there is enough space in our defence industry for both the Public and Private sectors to do business. We must ensure active participation of all stakeholders, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in defence production," he added.

The Chairman of the Standing Committee of Parliament on Defence, Satpal Maharaj, speaking on the occasion noted with satisfaction that the share of R&D in the Defence Budget has risen to six percent from one percent in the 1960s.

The Standing Committee had recommended 10 percent as compared to 15 percent being invested by certain countries in our neighbourhood, he added.

National Security Adviser Shri Shivshankar Menon asked the DRDO scientists to "avoid reinventing the wheel", and instead focus on reducing critical dependency on foreign suppliers in specialized sectors like defence electronics.

The Chief of Naval Staff and Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Nirmal Verma noted that self-reliance in defence industry still remained elusive.

"Achievement of total self-reliance in a globalised world is neither affordable nor practicable. To my mind it could be far better to aim for optimum self-reliance", he added.

Voicing concern on delays, Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma said that it has resulted in lag in technology with the role of self-reliance taking a severe beating.

He said that in a bid to give boost to R&D, the Transfer of Technology (ToT) will soon be a part of the offset component of defence contracts.

The Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri, Secretary, Deptt of Defence R&D and DG DRDO, Dr. VK Saraswat, called for the setting up of the Defence Technology Commission and a bigger role for DRDO in picking up the production partner post-development stage of products developed by the DRDO.

He said that the first flight of the Agni-V missile is likely to take place next month. (ANI)

03-21-2012, 01:23 AM	#12
wbeachcomber Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 385 Senior Member	''Evolve own strategy for self reliance'', says Antony to DRDO New Delhi, Mar 19 (ANI): Defence Minister A.K. Antony has called upon the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to take a relook at the goal of self-reliance in a globalized economy. In his inaugural address to the 36th DRDO Directors'' Conference here today, Antony said: "Today, we are again standing at the crossroads, where the imperative need for modernization in a globalized environment is exerting pressure on the very essence of ''Self Reliance''. In such a scenario, we need to evolve our own strategy for ''Self Reliance in 21st Century''." Stressing on the need to meet the timelines of the three services, Antony said: "No doubt, there may be a few legitimate reasons for the delay, but we must make every effort to strictly adhere to timelines. DRDO can win the confidence and trust of the Users, i.e., our Armed Forces, only if it meets timelines and delivers the best and the latest equipment and weapon systems." The Defence Minister underlined the need for synergy between the DRDO and the Services. "The single most important facet of your operations must be the DRDO-User relation. Both the Services and DRDO must increase their synergy, while finalizing developmental projects and strategies. Secondly, I would like our Armed Forces to actively participate in development programmes, both in management, as well as implementation to ensure that more indigenous systems are inducted," he said. Antony further said the government recently approved technology acquisition through offsets. "We must leverage offsets to bring in critical technologies to provide a further boost to our existing capability. Today, there is enough space in our defence industry for both the Public and Private sectors to do business. We must ensure active participation of all stakeholders, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in defence production," he added. The Chairman of the Standing Committee of Parliament on Defence, Satpal Maharaj, speaking on the occasion noted with satisfaction that the share of R&D in the Defence Budget has risen to six percent from one percent in the 1960s. The Standing Committee had recommended 10 percent as compared to 15 percent being invested by certain countries in our neighbourhood, he added. National Security Adviser Shri Shivshankar Menon asked the DRDO scientists to "avoid reinventing the wheel", and instead focus on reducing critical dependency on foreign suppliers in specialized sectors like defence electronics. The Chief of Naval Staff and Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Nirmal Verma noted that self-reliance in defence industry still remained elusive. "Achievement of total self-reliance in a globalised world is neither affordable nor practicable. To my mind it could be far better to aim for optimum self-reliance", he added. Voicing concern on delays, Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma said that it has resulted in lag in technology with the role of self-reliance taking a severe beating. He said that in a bid to give boost to R&D, the Transfer of Technology (ToT) will soon be a part of the offset component of defence contracts. The Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri, Secretary, Deptt of Defence R&D and DG DRDO, Dr. VK Saraswat, called for the setting up of the Defence Technology Commission and a bigger role for DRDO in picking up the production partner post-development stage of products developed by the DRDO. He said that the first flight of the Agni-V missile is likely to take place next month. (ANI)
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