Speed up defence research, deliver technologies on time: PM
"It is a fact, our current level of self-reliance in defence R&D is less than our capabilities and it needs to be stepped up significantly," said Manmohan Singh.
Noting that India's competitors have moved faster, prime minister Manmohan Singh today asked defence scientists to speed up research to achieve self-reliance and deliver critical technologies on time."It is a fact our current level of self-reliance in defence R&D is less than our capabilities and it needs to be stepped up significantly," he said addressing defence scientists on the occasion of National Technology Day.In many areas Indian scientists have moved fast, "but our competitors have often moved at a faster pace," Singh saidadding that scientists must make sure they have the capacityand the will to compete, to innovate, to deliver and todeliver on time.Exhorting scientists to stay ahead and be open to new ideas, the prime minister also asked them to learn from mistakes and setbacks."We should be able to acknowledge and learn from our setbacks. It is a fact that some defence projects have been delayed and others have faced difficulties during the stage of operational induction," he said.Singh stressed that it was essential that DRDO learnt from these experiences and worked more closely with the Armed Forces, as well as the industry.Observing that greater participation of the industry was a must in the defence sector, he said, "The government will encourage public-private partnerships as a catalyst towards achieving this objective."He said the offset scheme in defence procurement must beused to fill the technological gaps in the country's capabilities.Acknowledging the findings of a committee to revamp theDRDO, Singh said, "If we put our mind to it, there is noreason why our successes in the software sector cannot bereplicated in the defence sector.""We must strive for leadership in R&D in defence technologies. I would urge all of you assembled here today to think big and to act with a strong sense of self-belief, nationalistic spirit and the desire to excel," he said.The prime minister said he would encourage research anddevelopment organisations and laboratories to develop a closerinterface with the academic world."It is essential that we motivate and incentivise our youth to focus on research activities. An integrated approach to building a broad base of scientific talent, production capacities and a long-term vision are key elements to success," he said.The prime minister also gave away DRDO Awards to laboratories, scientists and industry for their contribution to the defence research sector.