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Govt orders review, revamp of DRDO, forms expert panel

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Govt orders review, revamp of DRDO, forms expert panel

Shiv Aroor

Posted: Fri Jan 19 2007, 00:00 hrs

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 18:

Rejecting the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO)’s assertion that its internal workings are adequately monitored, the Government has set up an independent and external committee of experts to conduct a comprehensive review of the DRDO and produce a report by the end of this year to suggest how the organisation be made more efficient and professional.

The dismal track record of the DRDO, highlighted by The Indian Express through a series of investigative reports in November last year, had found an echo in Parliament with Defence Minister A K Antony promising a new system of accountability to keep delays and cost over-runs in check.

The eight-member committee has been asked to conduct a thorough review of DRDO’s administrative, financial and personnel procedures and audits of scientific research work undertaken by the organisation’s laboratories. It will keep tabs on whether the interests of armed forces are being served, monitor time and cost overruns of weapons programmes, draw a roadmap for synergy with private industry and foreign consultants, and recommend strategies on utilising offsets that will now be part of all foreign weapons contracts.

Committee chairperson, Professor P Rama Rao, a former Secretary at the Department of Science & Technology and currently Dr Brahm Prakash distinguished professor at the ISRO, told The Indian Express from Hyderabad: “I will begin applying my mind on the task as soon as the government letter reaches me.”

 

The other committee members are former financial advisor at the Defence Ministry A K Ghosh, former HAL chairman Dr Krishnadas Nair, Samtel Group chairman Satish Kaura and Professor T P Ghoshal from Jadavpur University. The three representatives from the armed forces, all retired, are former DG Artillery Lt Gen C S Cheema, former IAF vice-chief Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani and Vice-Admiral Pravesh Jaitly, formerly the Navy’s chief of materials.

With the creation of this committee, the Defence Ministry has finally acted upon a crucial recommendation made by the Vijay Kelkar committee almost two years ago, that DRDO’s functioning as a research body needed to be under the purview of a panel of independent experts.

The committee’s mandate is significant considering that the DRDO, last year told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on

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DRDO muddles through 439 projects

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DRDO muddles through 439 projects

Rajat Pandit, TNN Aug 16, 2006, 03.01am IST

NEW DELHI: From missiles, radars and electronic warfare programmes to even juices, mosquito repellents and titanium dental implants, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) does it all. And, by and large, flounders in them all, with technical glitches, time and cost overruns.

Amid growing demand by armed forces and experts that DRDO “concentrate” only on “a few core and critical areas” to bolster the country’s defence preparedness, latest statistics show the organisation has as many as 439 ongoing projects at a total cost of a whopping Rs 16,925 crore. “DRDO, with around 29,000 personnel in 50 laboratories and establishments under its umbrella, certainly needs to get its act together. Not even 10% of its total budget (DRDO got Rs 5,454 crore in 2006-07) is spent on fundamental research,” says a senior defence official.

Adds an Army officer, “What is the use of having such a huge defence R&D set-up if it cannot even come up with basics like good bullet-proof jackets, webbing and light-weight ballistic helmets. Even the systems they manage to deliver to us suffer from operational problems.”

The long-standing aim to take the country towards self-reliance in military capabilities, of course, remains a mere pipedream. If in 1991-92, 25% of India’s total defence expenditure was spent on imports, the case remains the same even now.

DRDO, of course, has to contend with inadequate funds, with its allocation hovering just around 6% of the total defence budget. Moreover, it’s not able to attract top scientific talent in the absence of good career prospects and other incentives.

But even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently told DRDO he was “concerned by the problems of cost and time-overruns, which have plagued our defence industry for decades now”.

Consequently, it’s no wonder that the armed forces prefer the import route because of DRDO’s long track-record of delivering too-little, too-late. Of the 439 projects, for instance, the really big ones number around 20. But the progress in them, more or less, has been shoddy.

The Arjun main-battle tank project, for one, was sanctioned way back in 1974. After spending a huge amount of money, the first five Arjun tanks are still being tested for battle-worthiness, with the Army not too keen to induct them.

Similar is the story with Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, sanctioned in 1983 to replace the country’s ageing MiG fleet. Though its prototypes have completed over 530 flights, IAF is not fully convinced yet whether it will induct them by even 2012. This when government has already sanctioned Rs 5489.78 crore for Tejas till now.

The country’s integrated guided missile development programme, which kicked off in 1983, has only now shown some progress, with a few Prithvi and Agni missile variants being inducted into the armed forces.

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Antony tells defence PSUs to get their act together

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Antony tells defence PSUs to get their act together

TNN Feb 15, 2007, 01.36am IST

NEW DELHI: Perform or perish. defence minister A K Antony used the platform of an awards function on Wednesday to deliver this blunt message to defence PSUs, ordnance factories and, of course, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

In fact, the minister virtually asked DRDO — which is into making juices and mosquito repellents as well as tanks and missiles, as earlier reported by TOI — to concentrate only on “high-technology” areas of “strategic importance”.

“I am not satisfied with the work of some PSUs, ordnance factories and others. They must change. Otherwise, it will become difficult for them to survive in this era of competition,”said Antony, addressing an audience of chiefs and chairpersons of defence PSUs, shipyards and DRDO.

After handing over “awards for excellence”to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Bharat Electronics Ltd, which are being conferred with the “navratna” status, Antony said defence organisations “must adapt and transform to the changing environment of the defence industry brought about by globalisation”.

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DRDO lets loose ‘missiles’ at armed forces

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DRDO lets loose ‘missiles’ at armed forces

TNN May 27, 2010, 04.40am IST

NEW DELHI: After public bickering among Cabinet ministers, here comes the sharp divide in the defence establishment.

With PM Manmohan Singh, defence minister A K Antony and others watching, the faultlines that underlie the embittered DRDO-armed forces relationship erupted into plain view on Wednesday.

Defence Research and Development Organisation chief V K Saraswat, speaking at the National Technology Day awards function, tore into the armed forces for failing to overcome their “temptation” to induct the latest weapon systems from abroad.

This did not go down well with the forces, represented as they were by Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, Admiral Nirmal Verma and General V K Singh as well as other officers in the audience. Some officers told TOI that DRDO “promises too much” but delivers “too little, too late” and the forces are “forced” to push for import of weapon systems to maintain operational readiness.

“Some awards given today, for instance, are for Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, Nag anti-tank guided missile and Astra air-to-air missile. These are still not operational despite years, if not decades, of trials,” said an officer.

The spat comes just two days after the Navy chief held “a long meeting” with Antony to stress that it was high time DRDO got its act together, said sources.

Wednesday’s award ceremony began normally enough, with Saraswat listing out achievements ranging from launch of India’s first nuclear submarine INS Arihant to the planned test of the 5,000-km range Agni-V ballistic missile in 2011. But then, Saraswat let loose a couple of heat-seeking missiles. It’s grossly unfair to hold only DRDO responsible for the poor level of self-reliance in defence systems, he said.

“The responsibility should be shared by all stake-holders of defence ministry and cannot be placed on DRDO alone, which neither has the power to impose its products on its customer (forces), nor the mandate or capacity to produce

the developed systems all by themselves,” he said.

“Services also must understand that while the temptation may be overwhelming to field proven, state-of-the-art imported systems, they too have a role to play in the country’s economic and industrial growth. No foreign system can be customised to completely address our long-term requirements,” he added.

There is, of course, a lot in what Saraswat said. The armed forces certainly need to fully support DRDO to ensure self-reliance in critical weapon systems, the supply of which from abroad can easily be choked in times of crisis.

But it’s equally true DRDO projects cannot continue to be bedevilled with huge time and cost overruns.

The PM, on his part, said, “We should be able to acknowledge and learn from our setbacks. It’s a fact some projects have been delayed and others have faced difficulties during operational induction.”

 

Readers’ opinions

a.ravi. (chennai)

20 Jul, 2010 02:56 PM

defence ministry and the govt should wake up from sleep. all the defence projects should be with foreign tie ups. regards .a.ravi.

John (India)

27 May, 2010 08:59 PM

Its very essential to develop weapons indigenous. But instead of spending money and valuable time on conventional weapons which was already in use by other countries, our DRDO has to research on new kind of weapons which will give us upper hand in a war. Or our weapons should be next generation. All our weapons should be fully automated, computer controlled and should have some kind of artificial intelligence. We should prove ourselves and show to the world that we have capabilities in destroying enemy satellites and have the capability to protect our own satellite in case of a war which may give a upper hand in a war. We should have Predator UAV’s which should be more capable than other countries.

N.Shekar (Bangalore)

27 May, 2010 08:38 PM

DRDO is a white elephant eating away the Tax payer’s money. DRDO should be used only for research and Development and not for bulk manufacture as they simply cannot do it. For most of the employees of DRDO, it is just a past time job and none except a few work seriously. There is no team work and the employees and the management is just busy playing politics. There has been no headway made in the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Nag anti-tank guided missile and Astra air-to-air missile. These are still not operational despite having spent countless amount of money. Every time the Defence minister visits the DRDO offices he sanctions crores of rupees and there is no accountability. Until and unless the so called DRDO is made accountable, nothing will be achieved and there is no use in cribbing that the armed forces are encouraging foreign Arms and ammunition.

raju (surat)

27 May, 2010 06:46 PM

Best thing is to privatise DRDO, we all know how government offices work. Most of the time goes in chatting, sipping tea, smoking, preparing tambacu etc. How will they produce cutting edge tech and time bound deliveries. With the best brains in the world we should put them to use in the right way and Private sector can only do that.

Narendra (Hyderabad)

27 May, 2010 06:36 PM

Ok wise guys,

harpreet (chandigrah) replies to a.ravi.

13 Aug, 2010 02:52 PM

there are many Indian companies which have better research and development capabilities, and they can produce much better arms and ammunition.ex-mhaindras and the tatas, all they need is a chance and we need to give them a fair chance. pinika multi barrel rockets are good example of this.

Milan Dutta (Kolkata)
27 May, 2010 06:12 PM

Armed forces must accept that this missile was right on target

A.P.MISRA. (Hyderabad)
27 May, 2010 05:47 PM

Blaming is very easy.No doubt DRDO moves at snails speed because they dont have a time bound programme to delver the goods.There are also lot of personnel politics involved in assigning the projects.There are very good scientists in the organisation who are dedicated to their work.The output of DRDO has to be translated by the Defence Production Units who owe equal responsibility for it.Corruption is one of the major factors which some how creeps in and ensures that the quality desired dosnt come out.vested interest of beneficiaries cannot be ruled out. 

Hussain (Hyderabad)
27 May, 2010 04:57 PM

DRDO is a Burden on our country. we pay thousands of crores of Rs for our scientist who has promised this country that they will stop all weapons import.I must admit Mr.Gopal has rightly said DRDO is an elephant. DRDO is nothing but a same old Govt office where files are fed to termites and buried.

Keviv (Bangalore)
27 May, 2010 04:47 PM

Right name of DRDO should be Delayed Research and Defective Organization. To top that they act high and might like there developing something very great. To see that a person need to come to Bangalore and see wastage of Tax Payers Money.

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The case to support the indigenous LCA programme

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The case to support the indigenous LCA programme

Ashok Parthasarathi and Raman Puri

The facts with regard to perceived cost and time overruns and performance shortfalls in perspective

There have been several articles in the press critical of projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in general, and specifically the programme relating to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), now named Tejas, and the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Indeed, whenever a significant event that involves indigenous R&D, particularly defence-related, occurs, or a crucial decision is set to be taken, articles originating from within the defence “system,” or from vendors who see their business prospects threatened, appear. The real facts relating to the programme need to be put in context.

Performance shortfalls

The two issues on which the LCA project is criticised are cost and time overruns, and performance shortfalls. As regards the so-called time overruns, when the zero/go date for the project is taken as 1983, the critics fail to mention that what was sanctioned in 1983 was an ad hoc Rs.560 crore, pending full preparation of the Project Definition Document (PDD) — which is a fundamental step even to start the design and development process. The costs were to be finalised based on the PDD. This required the setting up of infrastructure in a hundred academic institutions and R&D laboratories and building up expertise to undertake the fundamental and application-oriented R&D required, and harnessing the design and engineering effort available largely in the public sector units for such a complex, state-of-the-art aircraft. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) discussed with Air Headquarters the Air Staff Requirement (ASR). Air Headquarters had requirements added to what was originally to be a replacement for the MiG-21. As a result, the ASR that was finalised was practically that for a Mirage 2000. But in the public perception the LCA remained as a replacement for MiG 21.

It look seven years, till 1990, to formulate the PDD. Based on this the ADA, in a report to the Ministry of Defence in 1990, gave a time-frame of seven years to develop the LCA and projected a financial requirement of Rs.4,000 crore. This included the building of four prototypes also. There had been a 25-year gap since the only fighter aircraft ever indigenously designed, developed and manufactured, namely the HF-24 Marut, had entered squadron service. So the period of seven years to set up a more advanced R&D infrastructure and build up even the core personnel needed to develop the technologies that the LCA’s ASR and PDD called for, was modest.

“Go-ahead”

After consideration, including by special committees, the Indian Air Force and the government gave the real operational go-ahead only in late-1993. Even that “go-ahead” covered the development of only two Technology Demonstrator Aircraft (TDA) without weaponisation. The funding approved was only of Rs.2,000 crore — half the amount requested for full-scale development. The first TDA flew in 2001, eight years from the real operational ‘go’ date, despite much additional R&D work that had to be undertaken due to the U.S. sanctions imposed in 1998.

Comments appeared in the media in 2001 quoting IAF sources to the effect that what the ADA had achieved was just a flying machine that was yet to be weaponised. Considering the nature and scope of the approval accorded in 1993, what else was to be expected? Using the money sanctioned for two TDAs, the ADA built four. Full-scale development, for which another Rs.2,000-plus crore was finally sanctioned, thus started only in late-2001. Some 1,200 hours of flight testing was to be undertaken to secure Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) from the IAF.

At that point, apart from the weaponisation requirements the project had to undergo extensive redesign to accommodate an air-to-air missile chosen by the IAF, which was considerably heavier and longer than what had been specified till 2000. The IAF had again changed its mind. This necessitated the complete redesign of the wing structure, using only composite materials in order to keep the weight within limits. The period of this redesign was also utilised to upgrade the avionics, to a completely open architecture.

Consequently, in “generational terms” the LCA is a fourth generation-plus aircraft with full networking capabilities. This made it more than comparable to anything the IAF had, and possibly would have, even after it acquires the 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) now on tender, with first deliveries due eight years hence.

On the engine

It is true that the Kaveri engine for the LCA that the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) of the DRDO has been developing for 12 years has not yet met its technical performance targets and requires redevelopment. So far the GE 404 engine from the U.S., which powers the F-16 fighter-bomber, has been used to power the LCA. The problems the GTRE has with the Kaveri are not unusual in a complex fighter aircraft engine project being undertaken for the first time. Moreover, the financial sanction of about Rs.320 crore given for engine development was possibly only to cover the Project Definition Phase and some high-risk technology development effort. We do not know of a first-of-type high-technology fighter aircraft engine being developed anywhere in less than a multi-billion dollar programme and a 20-year-plus development cycle. Even Snecma, the sole fighter aircraft engine manufacturer in France, despite decades of experience in developing and manufacturing engines for Mirage III, V and F-1, took about a decade and $2.2 billion to develop the M-88 engine for the Mirage 2000. The development of the Kaveri is unlikely to cross $1 billion.

The LCA with a GE 404 engine has done 800-plus hours of flight-testing. Even with that engine the performance has been not only vastly superior to that of even the recently upgraded MiG 21 BIS (the IAF is operating almost 400 of the series), but it has shown itself to be comparable in many critical parameters to the Mirage 2000. Modifications to the aircraft structure are under way to reduce weight and improve engine performance. When the GTRE’s joint venture with a leading foreign engine manufacturer for further development is completed in the next four years, the Kaveri will be brought up to a performance level, superior to the GE 404. Fitted with it, the LCA will be truly comparable to the Mirage 2000 and in many respects even superior. And all this in an aircraft much lighter than the Mirage 2000.

Superior

As for network-centric capability, which intrinsically needs indigenous systems for secrecy, security and inter-operability, it is superior in the LCA compared to any aircraft in the IAF’s inventory.

So it is a fallacy to think that we can continue the importing spree and still have such network-centric capability.

As recently as in 2005, the IAF’s requirement for 126 new aircraft was only for an upgraded Mirage 2000. At Rs.120 crore to Rs.140 crore a plane, compared to at least double that amount for any of the aircraft types now bidding for the 126 MRCA, is not the LCA a highly cost-effective fighter for volume induction into the IAF?

As for development costs, the LCA has remained well within the sanctioned $1.2 billion — which is about the lowest anywhere. Time overrun in the strict sense is only by a year or two, despite the sanctions. A first-of-type aircraft of this degree of complexity has not been developed anywhere in the West or in Russia in less than two to three decades.

The F16 series that was inducted into the U.S. Air Force in 1975 is today at Mark 60. That is how aircraft of this level of complexity are improved after induction. That this imperative applies even more to the LCA has to be recognised.

It is for the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister to ensure that this effort is not belittled or scuttled, and that the LCA programme is given all-out support — as successive Prime Ministers have ensured for our atomic energy and space programmes.

(Ashok Parthasarathi was Science Adviser to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Vice- Admiral (retired) Raman Puri was Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Committee of Service Chiefs, remaining closely involved with the inter-service weapons acquisition process from October 2003 to February 2006).

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Sanctioned in ’83, LCA Tejas is yet to take off

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Sanctioned in ’83, LCA Tejas is yet to take off

Rajat Pandit, TNN Feb 12, 2008, 01.55am IST

NEW DELHI: When defence minister A K Antony witnesses a flight demonstration of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in Bangalore on Tuesday, he should take a close look at the fighter which typifies all that is wrong with defence projects in India.

The LCA project was sanctioned way back in 1983 at a cost of Rs 560 crore to replace the rapidly aging MiG fighters.

A quarter of a century later, with project costs already pegged at Rs 5,489.78 crore, the LCA is still at least four years away from becoming fully operational.

And when IAF finally inducts an LCA squadron, around 2012 or so, it will fly with American GE-404 engines and radars developed with Israel’s help, apart from several other ‘foreign’ parts in what is touted to be an ‘indigenous’ project.

Yes, developing a supersonic fly-by-wire fighter jet from scratch, with international sanctions in place for several years, is an extremely complex task. “But taking almost three decades is criminal,” said a senior official.

“All the agencies involved in it like the Aeronautical Development Agency, Defence Research and Development Organization, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and even the IAF, which has frequently changed requirements of weapons and electronic warfare midway, have to share the blame,” he added.

For the record, the two LCA technology demonstrators and three prototype vehicles have clocked over 800 flights till now, accumulating 425 hours and covering a flight envelope of 1.4 Mach and 15-km altitude.

Last year, the LCA even test-fired its first air-to-air missile, prompting the defence ministry to proclaim it as “a historic event” marking the beginning of the “weaponization” of Tejas. But the fact remains that the deadlines for the IOC (initial operational clearance) and FOC (final operational clearance) of Tejas have been revised time and again. As things stand now, IOC is projected by 2010 and FOC by 2012.

IAF, on its part, has ordered only 20 LCAs so far, despite pressure from the defence R&D establishment, unsure as it is of the delivery date and whether the LCA will be a top-notch fighter once it is ready. Incidentally, IAF and Navy had earlier projected a requirement of as many as 220 LCAs.

The less said about the indigenous Kaveri engine, which was meant to power the LCA, the better. The repeated failures of Kaveri – its development cost has jumped to Rs 2,839 crore from the initial Rs 382 crore – has meant the first 40 LCAs will have the American GE-404 engines.

With no solution in sight, DRDO has invited proposals for foreign collaboration for the co-development of Kaveri now. Keeping all this in mind, the overall development cost of LCA will zoom well over Rs 12,000 crore before it becomes a reality.

 

Readers’ opinions (33)

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vivian fernandes (bombay)
12 Feb, 2008 09:21 AM
I have recently started working for the aviation industry and i have come to learn that although building a plane sounds easy there are so many parts that have to fit together that it is a mind boggling process.. However like many of the readers have mentioned,it should not take us 24 years to make a plane fly .. I do agree that the indian scientists are underpaid and i think it is high time we start bringing in private contractors like most of the western countries do.. so i think the only solution to this problem is to bring in people who know what they are doing and not leave projects in the hands of un educated,3rd rate politicians who might as well sold the parts for the plane on the black market to line their pockets..

Kotresh Tambrallimath (Bangalore)
12 Feb, 2008 09:00 AM
Indian Scientist salary is 5 to 10 times less than normal software Engineer salary. Because of this transition rates are high, so project is getting delay. Regarding cost of project, all are talking about 5000 cr. but how many billions of dollars US has invested to come to this position ??? Developing our own technology and building LCA is far far far better than Buying Black box(F16). I am very much thankful to all our scientists who are working in ADA and DRDO for there effort and dedication.

Krishna (Pennsylvania, PA)
12 Feb, 2008 08:31 AM
Well…I have worked on the LCA’s cockpit software programs in the early 90s. I know very well that we tried imitating F16’s fly by wire technology. We even followed USA DoD standard for software documentation. But I don’t understand why there is so much delay in taking off. I think we could not even copy something properly.

Prasad (Atlanta, USA)
12 Feb, 2008 08:24 AM
Even if we consider 12K Crore to develop an aircaraft from scratch (and belive, me there are many more things to an aircraft apart from the engine), I think it is not a bad price. Considering India has 12 lakh crores in its coffers as foreigh exchange and its income has multiplied manifold in past few years, 12 K crores for this project is not at all astronomical. We have to be cognizent of the fact that the project was executed by a government agency in complete isolation until recently without any private participation. India has learned a good lesson from it and is now encouraging privte participation in these kind of projects. I think we need to look at it much more positively. Every project is a learning curve and we have learned our share from this one too. I find such reports a bit too harsh towards all the good work which has gone into it. As a responsible mouthpiece of Indian media your esteemed publication should refrain from publishing such articles, which show our research establishments in bad light.

Rishi (Bangalore)
12 Feb, 2008 08:21 AM
Its time for the government to come out of the politics and took hard decision and recruiting from top premier colleges by offering them competetive pay.India have enough talent to build anything the only thing is that there should be strong will power behind it.

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Panel wants overhaul in DRDO’s set-up

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Panel wants overhaul in DRDO’s set-up

Rajat Pandit, TNN Mar 19, 2007, 12.13am IST

NEW DELHI: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken yet another hit.

After being slammed for huge time and cost overruns in virtually all its projects, a parliamentary committee has now called for DRDO’s drastic overhaul if it’s to supply cutting-edge weapon systems to the armed forces in time.

 

And the “fundamental changes” must start at the very top. In its latest report tabled in Parliament on Friday, apart from recording Defence Research and Development Organisation’s “disappointing performance”, the Standing Committee on defence expressed its “displeasure”at the scientific advisor (SA) to the defence minister wearing so many hats.

In addition to being the SA, he is also director-general of DRDO, secretary (R&D) and director-general of Aeronautical Development Agency.

This must change, as also DRDO’s penchant for taking too many things on its plate. Venturing as it does even into making juices, mosquito repellents, titanium dental implants and the like, the committee said DRDO must concentrate only on “fundamental and crucial” defence research.

Urging the government to encourage the private sector to come into defence R&D and production in a major way, the committee said DRDO must be made more accountable and open to independent auditing.

A comprehensive national policy should also be formulated to recruit and retain “talented and experienced”scientists in Defence Research and Development Organisation, which has a shortage of around 1,400 scientists, as also promote its closer cooperation with IITs and universities.

Calls for a revamp of Defence Research and Development Organisation, of course, are not new. This newspaper, in several reports, has highlighted that it continues to flounder in developing desperately-needed military capabilities for the country.

Whether it’s the much-touted Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), sanctioned in 1983 but still at least four-five years away from becoming fully-operational, or the bulky Arjun main-battle tank, which the Army is being forced to swallow, the story has remained grim.

With the mind-boggling delays, the costs of most of Defence Research and Development Organisation projects have simply zoomed up. Take the LCA programme. Its initial projected cost was Rs 560 crore.

But now, it stands at Rs 5,490 crore, with another Rs 2,893 crore for its Kaveri engine. By the time the LCA becomes operational, if it does, over Rs 10,000 crore would have been sunk into it.

So, it’s no wonder that India has become the largest importer of military hardware and software in the developing world, notching up arms deals worth $11 billion in just 2004 and 2005.

It will spend another $30 billion over the next five years in armament imports. In view of all this, the parliamentary report expressed the “urgent need” for “a thorough review” of the functioning and organisational set-up of Defence Research and Development Organisation, which has 50 establishments and over 33,000 personnel under its umbrella.

Expressing dismay that DRDO had managed to achieve only 30% indigenisation target as against the 70% target set for the 10th Plan (2002-2007), the panel said the organisation has not been able to achieve its mission of self-reliance in defence production even 48 years after it was established.

Readers’ opinions (3)

asamanja ghose (paris)
19 Mar, 2007 02:16 PM
Dear Editor, Once again, the Parliamentary Committee should have gone much farther in its recommendations. We must institute a thorough judicial inquiry (independent of any and all administrative and political influence) as to why the LCA project and all other important Defence Projects have not yet been completed to date and resulted in such delays and heavy cost over-runs, while forcing the country to spend its meagre Foreign Exchange reserves to import military hardware. For instance, we are being forced to buy 126 Fighter Aircraft. If the LCA had been on time, this would not have been necessary, would it? In my opinion, military hardware-exporting countries and our corrupt politicians, corrupt political parties, and certainly some corrupt scientists in the DRDO are responsible for this state of affairs. They take bribes to design ways and means to delay our projects so as to continue exporting their outdated and “junk” products to India. How is it that no IT raids have ever been carried out on any of the above-mentioned categories of people, but only minor officials have been targeted, just for the form. Why have not the account books of the congress party not been seized and audited thoroughly after allegations that “thales”, the french manufacturer 0f the six diesel-electric submarines from whom india has ordered these, has paid sonia khan (sorry gandhi) a “bakshsish”‘ of 400 crores after the signing of this agreement. it is obvious that rajiv khan (sorry gandhi) did not have as big a stomach to digest the 64 crores that he had taken for the bofors deal and that he did share it with the congress party. Of course, the biggest “boffun” that the Bofors deal exposed was no one to do any thing with the congress, but the self-styled raja v.p. singh, who shouted himself hoarse before being elected prime minister saying that he will unveil the names of all the culprits of this international scandal, but once elected just forgot about it did nothing of the sort. Others like vajpaye and advani did not do much better. are we, as a nation, so cowardly that we are afraid of owning up to and take responsibility for our faults? if we aspire to be a superpower, should we behave like a bunch of sheep or tigers? Should we not start preparing for the day when we will have to tell the USA to get the hell out of the Indian Ocean, as that is our territory, and that they have nothing to do with that any more? Think over all this, dear reader. if these concepts seem too advanced for you, do contact me, i will explain. rest assured, it will be India that will the usa a bloody nose and make them eschew their haughtiness and misplaced sense of superiority. just ask yourself, what is that impostor, cheat and a plain highway robber be without his Indian software developers? What would the USA be without us Indians today? A. GHOSE

viswanath c (mumbai)
19 Mar, 2007 10:08 AM
Many organisations like DRDO are not at all performing well. The entire hierarchy needs to be revamped so that persons who can show results only can remain and exist there. In many cases, such Institutions does not allow youngsters to come forward and in desperation they leve the country. No need to make any hue and cry about depletion or loss of intellectual and technical personnel, let us do some homework to correct ourself!

balasubba raman guruswamy (bangalore)
19 Mar, 2007 08:18 AM
Internal nepotism is the bane of DRDO Labs. The best of brains are demotivated lot. It would be interesting if the ‘heads of the Labs’ are thoroughly investigated on the impact of their personal lives on the working of DRDO, over last 10 to 15 years.

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Need to revamp, give us roadmap in a fortnight: Govt tells DRDO —-Manu Pubby Posted: Sun Apr 27 2008, 00:36 hrs New Delhi, April 26:

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Need to revamp, give us roadmap in a fortnight: Govt tells DRDO

Manu Pubby  Posted: Sun Apr 27 2008, 00:36 hrs New Delhi, April 26:

Barely a month after receiving the first ever external review report on the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the government has decided to revamp the research body to fix accountability and clear the way for more private sector participation and foreign collaborations.

In fact, the Defence Ministry has decided to move a Cabinet note for the overall restructuring of DRDO as early as next month to ensure that the reorganization starts off by the end of this year. To facilitate this, DRDO has been asked to submit a detailed revamp roadmap to South Block within a fortnight.

The roadmap, which will be examined by the Defence Ministry to make sure that it “reflects the spirit” of the P Rama Rao Committee report, would lay emphasis on the need for using all means possible to incorporate globally available technologies for indigenous development projects.

As first reported in a series in The Indian Express, the 50-year-old organization came under flak for repeated delays and failures by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence in 2006. The government decided to set up a high-powered committee led by P Rama Rao, former secretary, Department of Science & Technology to “examine the effectiveness of R&D support provided vis-à-vis in-house research facilities with DRDO and to ensure effective participation of the private sector in Defence Research”. The committee submitted its report on March 5, exactly one year after it had been commissioned.

The major points recommended by the Rama Rao Committee that are to be incorporated into the road map:

• The 52 DRDO laboratories are to be realigned into five “lab clusters,” each will be headed by a Director General and have its own specialization. The broad clusters: Electronics, Armaments, Avionics, Missile Systems and a dedicated research cluster. Each cluster will have a certain degree of autonomy and will be accountable for failures and delays. The Chief Controllers, who will be re-designated as Director Generals, will move out of New Delhi to take charge of these clusters

• Setting up a tri-services cell within the framework of the organization to overlook all development projects from the conception stage itself. The cell will be headed by a three-star officer — this position will be held by all three forces on a rotational basis. The cell will have three Major General-rank officers who will oversee development projects of their respective services.

To speed up development and meet deadlines, promote joint ventures with global players, involve private sector and foreign collaborations to inculcate globally available technologies into the organization.

• Entire restructuring to be monitored by a special implementation cell that will be headed by a DRDO Chief Controller. The cell will also have a representative from the Rama Rao Committee and will report directly to the Defence Ministry.

DRDO, which has come under increasing flak for repeated delays and failures, will be made more accountable and has been told to put emphasis on private sector partnerships and foreign joint collaborations to ensure time-bound projects. The revamp will also address the long-standing demand of the armed forces for deeper involvement in defence-development projects and will push for a younger age profile of scientists.

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How missiles get their names

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(Agni III missile launched from Bhubaneswar in May. (AFP Photo)

 

BANGALORE: How do you name a missile? Or a tank? Or an aircraft for that matter? If you thought Agni, Prithvi and Akash were random names scientists just came up with, you couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Developing missile technology is hard work, and for scientists, their baby. Research keeps them up long hours, away from family and friends and it is but natural that great deliberation takes place before christening these babies.

 

Sanskrit names are always given preference. Scientists believe such names are powerful. All names are, in one way or the other, connected to the function of the missile, aircraft or tank.

Take for instance Agni, the intermediate range ballistic missile. The fire or the energy needed for propulsion is what gave the missile its name.

Explaining the naming procedure, W Selvamurthy, chief controller of life sciences and human resources at Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) said missiles and other products developed by the labs are given names that have a “functional meaning and/or a scientific rationale”.

The director of each project, along with the team, proposes a few names that they think would be appropriate. The proposals go to the chief controller of the lab which is working on the project and the final name is decided keeping in mind the functions of the final product.

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DRDO turns to NRIs to reverse brain drain

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DRDO turns to NRIs to reverse brain drain

Rajat Pandit, TNN Mar 13, 2008, 03.09am IST

NEW DELHI: Pack your bags, return to India and work in the cutting-edge defence technology arena to bolster the country’s military strength.

Often lambasted for huge time and cost overruns in strategic projects, the Defence Research and Development Organisation now wants to add some solid NRI firepower to its armoury.

After losing close to 1,500 scientists to much greener pastures of corporate world just since 2002, DRDO is stepping up its ‘talent search scheme’ to lure NRIs into its fold through some ‘reverse brain drain’.

The scheme for NRIs, though still in its infancy, has already netted at least 40 PhDs and MTechs working in academics or industry in countries like US, UK, Japan and Sweden.

“We are intensifying the drive. In 2007 alone, we received 150 applications from NRI scientists and engineers and finally picked up 22. The number of applicants is increasing, with the majority coming from US,” a top DRDO scientist told TOI on Wednesday.

Defence minister A K Antony, on his part, told Parliament that DRDO, faced with an ‘attrition rate’ of around 7% every year, was now processing applications ‘quickly’ in the NRI talent search scheme.

“They are being interviewed through televideo conferencing for their quick appointment in DRDO. The process is repeated three-four times a year to increase the intake of NRIs,” he said.

At present, DRDO has around 6,900 scientists against a sanctioned strength of 7,255. But the greater worry is the ‘quality’ of scientists, with DRDO unable to attract bright youngsters from institutes like IITs in sufficient numbers for its 52 laboratories and establishments across the country.

It hopes to gain some ground through the NRI scheme, both in terms of quantity and quality. “The NRIs bring new knowledge, expertise, work ethic and culture,” said the scientist.

But will the scheme attract good talent, considering that those selected will get a carry-home monthly package of just about Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000? DRDO seems reasonably confident of it.

“NRIs in the 35 to 45 age-group, having worked abroad for 10 or more years, have enough buffer money. If they want to come back to their kith and kin, we can provide them with job satisfaction,” said a senior DRDO official.

“We also give value in terms of accommodation, working environment and facilities in our labs, health benefits, pension and the like,” he added. Then, of course, DRDO has demanded a ‘performance-based incentive package’ for scientists, over and above the revision in salaries, from the 6th Pay Commission.

This includes proposals like a Rs 10,000 award for every patent being filed or a paper being published in a reputed journal, as also a ‘technology-transfer fee’ for every lab-to-industry transfer.

DRDO scientists say Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself has promised to them that careers in science will be made ‘more attractive from all perspectives’ to stem brain drain.

Apart from fiscal and career incentives, they say the government is also considering facilitating mobility between institutions, between institutions and academia, as well as from research institutions to the production and marketing sectors.

rajat.pandit@timesgroup.com

Readers’ opinions (33)

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Raja (India)
13 Mar, 2008 01:41 PM
India has always been a growing economy; esp. in last 7-8 years. India has very confidently entered in 21st century. Today, countries like: U.S., U.K., Japan have realised that. Canada and Australia have realised India’s potential too; but still – i believe it is just a matter of time before they start getting more serious like U.S., U.K. and Japan. This is an excellent move. And Guys… for many NRI’S; money is not the only criteria to be staying outside their own country. If they are getting similar opportunities in research and development sectors, growth opportunities – than why not? All the best.

arun (china)
13 Mar, 2008 01:32 PM
This move could be a good idea as well as dangerous move. But critising the idea and giving a wrong message (as done by some readers) is not a correct approach. It is accepted that the politicians (like Arjun Singh)spoil the whole education and working institutions. So we will try to put in our effort to protect our motherland for the enemies in our shoulders (china & pakistan). Bring in talents and dollars.

NAGRAJ (HYDERABAD)
13 Mar, 2008 01:23 PM
WHICH NRI WILL COME AND JOIN DRDO. THE DESERVING AND HARD WORKING SCIENTISTS WITH IN DRDO ARE SIDE LINED AND FORGOTTEN AND FELLOWS WHO DONT DO A NAYA PAISA OF JOB AND WHO ARE RHETORIC AND WHO HAVE GOOD RELATION WITH HIGHER UPS HOLD VINTAGE POSITION.LET DRDO RECOGNIZE THE TALENT WITH IN AND HONOR THOSE WHO DEDICATED AND BROUGHT THE MISSILE TECHNOLOGY TO THIS LEVEL SO THAT IT MAY SERVE AS MOTIVATION FOR THE YOUNGER SCIENTIST TO PERFORM BEFORE ASKING THE NRI TO PACK AND COME BACK. ASK THE NON PERFORMING FELLOWS IN DRDO TO PACK AND LEAVE AND ALL WILL BE WELL.

dev (australia)
13 Mar, 2008 01:21 PM
Though having no research qualif. etc..looking at your readers comments..anybody can realise the problem in getting back NRIs..India seems to be run by politicians and bureaucrats..In Western countries the tech people dont kowtow to anybody. If any pollie or bureaucrats create small problem for techie…it will end up in court quite fast. And the legal ppl also will not give any support to their fellow bureaucrats/pollies. So you can see, the babuji culture is the main culprit in india.One of your readers also suggest the solution..having entrance exam for politicians.

Dr. P. Metlapalli (USA)
13 Mar, 2008 12:29 PM
DRDO must be crazy to think anyone would come back from USA for Rs 35000 – 45,000 p.m. in the middle of pothole-ridden roads where no vehicle can move (soon all traffic will come to a standstill in India – with so many vehicles adding daily to the world’s lousiest roads). Politicians are busy with keeping their grip on power – they should first face legal action than try for elections. Their final aim to make 90% reserved – one day a reserved doctor will do their surgery and even then they won’t wake up. All this so-called “economic boom” will collapse the moment US stops outsourcing. India is simply doomed forever, unless they have a “government by merit” – politicians selected by entrance exam than elections. That way their link to elections will be cut and things will automatically get sorted out.

sac (India)
13 Mar, 2008 11:42 AM

Dear NRIs, Dont even THINK of returning to India. You will find your self in the middle of the Mud Reservior. And this mud reservior is a stincking one. India is and will always remain country of illeterate and goondas. It is and will always be ruled by Illeterate and roadside people called Politicians and Mantris. Most of the NRIs repent and look for jobs back in the better coutries in a period of year or 2. The way India is shown to the world is a myth. And in reality, this country and country politicians has no will to improve. The rulers of this country will keep this country poor, countrymen illeterate FOR EVER. Come to India only if you want to KILL your peace of mind, your career, want to beg for everything in front of corrupt beaurocrats, police and politicians and most important, if you want your children and all future generations to ABUSE and CURSE you FOREVER. Think 1000000000000000000 times before coming to India.

Rajivi (Mangalore)
13 Mar, 2008 11:41 AM

Instead of appealing to the NRIs, the DRDO, being a government organisation, should provide an atmoshpere of good working condition and good salary. Now a days, with the cost of education going up and up, the brilliant scientists would not want to work for peanuts,after spending huge amount on their education. Being a retired government employee, I know how the working atmoshpere is, and also the pain seniours experience, when they have to work under the Juniors, in the name of reservation.

Rajivi (Mangalore)
13 Mar, 2008 11:41 AM

Instead of appealing to the NRIs, the DRDO, being a government organisation, should provide an atmoshpere of good working condition and good salary. Now a days, with the cost of education going up and up, the brilliant scientists would not want to work for peanuts,after spending huge amount on their education. Being a retired government employee, I know how the working atmoshpere is, and also the pain seniours experience, when they have to work under the Juniors, in the name of reservation.

dms-sd_CA (California, USA)
13 Mar, 2008 11:32 AM

Just a note: If your hair has not turned gray and thinned out on the top – it is highly unlikely that you are truly a genious scientist !

Mitesh Joshi (Pune)
13 Mar, 2008 11:32 AM

I don’t feel that it is possible for DRDO to attract a “pure techie” from the Silicon valley of US, Hi-tech labs of Japan, Sweden etc… coz they are living a cool life with 4-5000$ per month.Money matters… envionment matters….Government strategy matters…. Nation’s International decision matters…. As we konw the bitter reality of our system i.e. it works for only-only for vote bank & money at any level of corruption. Real techie wants to work on realities & needs, not on time to time changing Govt. policies & courrupt enviornment. They actually have lost the faith in our country system & its leaders. Currently there is a drain of techie’s of middle level layer too in name of studies & marriages. They are now focusing on Australia as their next destination as US is already saturated.

Mitesh Joshi (Pune)
13 Mar, 2008 11:32 AM

I don’t feel that it is possible for DRDO to attract a “pure techie” from the Silicon valley of US, Hi-tech labs of Japan, Sweden etc… coz they are living a cool life with 4-5000$ per month.Money matters… envionment matters….Government strategy matters…. Nation’s International decision matters…. As we konw the bitter reality of our system i.e. it works for only-only for vote bank & money at any level of corruption. Real techie wants to work on realities & needs, not on time to time changing Govt. policies & courrupt enviornment. They actually have lost the faith in our country system & its leaders. Currently there is a drain of techie’s of middle level layer too in name of studies & marriages. They are now focusing on Australia as their next destination as US is already saturated.

Satyanarayan (Singapore)
13 Mar, 2008 11:20 AM

Ask Arjun Singh (our HRD minister) to call NRIs, it would be better. Ask him how much % given for NRIs. To get good scientist pls. stop reservation in indian secuirity. For development of India minority reservation should be totaly eliminated.For DRDO first stop pilitics inside and start working. Do not take your relatives if you are in selection board.

Ajay (Delhi)
13 Mar, 2008 11:17 AM

I think India is going in a right direction. By recruiting NRI specialist, India can grow much stronger and faster in right direction. Jai Hind.

EMC3 (India)
13 Mar, 2008 11:14 AM

Ok…Now we have american spies also inside DRDO…These NRI’s will get paid from CIA as well as from DRDO..The CIA will also create a good identity and resume for them…

krishan (singapore)
13 Mar, 2008 10:54 AM

I dont know how many scientists in the age group of 35-45 will be attracted to this kind of sums, above all we all know the commitments that Indian employees carry,,its just too lazy out there, no accountability. Good luck to DRDO but I dont think it will work out.

P.M.G.Pillai (<ANNAR ALLAPUZHA)
13 Mar, 2008 10:47 AM

The defence minister homself has admitted in the floor of loksabha that ther is an atrition rate of seven percent of scientists from DRDO.People should analyze why this is taking place?After all India need trained,itelligenct scientists for under taking research when that is the fact why this large scale migratio occurs?one can under stand about the LACK OF FACILOITIES,encoutagements from government because poltical leadershiplack VISION hence criticise every aspect of a project for delay with out under standing and knowing the real cause of this Another depatt the accountant general will criticise for over running the cist here also lack knowledge lastly the pay packet also will pinch the concerned. All these causes drive our yong and upcoming intelligent scientists searcg for avenues where they will be given red carpet receotion and lot of encouragment.Hence the attrition.The government must under stand this fact and remedy the situation to ensure that these bright yong men are given honoured positions to under take their research indisturbed

N. S. Talekar (Kunming)
13 Mar, 2008 10:43 AM

This again goes to show that we are not producing quality scientists (Ph. D.) in Indian universities. The NRIs that the government wish to attract hold Ph. Ds from universities abroad. If we produce quality Ph. Ds like American, Australian, and European universities do, such scientists can do the job that government wishes NRIs will do and be happy with the salary that government plans to offer to NRIs. Our top undergraduates (e. g. IIT products) are as good as any in the world, but I cannot speak that for our Ph. Ds. Solution to this quality problem is simple but I doubt the current government has will power to discipline the research universities to improve their research standard.

Yash (MD, US)
13 Mar, 2008 10:43 AM

Bull Shit, — $1000 -1100 a month ..even NRI Cabbies in NY ..or sweepers in heathrow airport ..or construction labor in gulf won’t bother to look at DRDO option.. wake up from Slumber DRDO .. India govt funded institutes have fundamental problem like reservation ..red tape .. sluggishness ..that cause good techies to shun them

james (delhi)
13 Mar, 2008 10:39 AM

Rather than trying to woo in NRI’s, the DRDO needs to make itself attractive to the young and upcoming scientists and students in india. india has never had a dearth of scientific talent. the way DRDO can do that is by actively participating in the various institutes and universities. Moreover DRDO needs to fix definite goals and reward scientists once that is reached. Merit needs to be rewarded. It should get rid of all reservatoins and only take in people with talent. It should start funding research groups who come up with innovative ideas and plans. DRDO needs to be much more dynamic. It has to get rid of that “babu” culture which is very much prevalent. It can learn a thing or two from ISRO and a lot from NASA. Right now DRDO is like a half dead horse with no intention of running.

V Shankar (Coimbatore)
13 Mar, 2008 10:23 AM

The DRDO initiative to attract NRI scientists is welcome. However, the Govt. S&T establishment should do serious introspection into why people leave in the first place. Not all talented people leave for better monetary benefits. They leave because the challenge or vision is not there. One problem is that the leaders are all the time worried about which post to apply for, which tour to go on next. They are also burdened (albeit self-inflicted) by a lot of exracurricular activities, so much so that the main thrust of their role is lost to the organization. It is all too easy to showcase a few achievements and get away with any kind of performance. The leadership is very happy creating good followers who will do what they say. Very few of our top scientists make time to handle and nurture top talent, given their preoccupations. It is time the government did serious introspection into how the top leadership in our S&T organizations, including universities functions. We need to take concrete steps to address systemic factors that remove focus from the mission and put institutional interests above individual goals. V. Shankar

vinay (Bangalore)
13 Mar, 2008 10:23 AM

Tell them to give 80% reservations. They should do good then.

snq (muscat)
13 Mar, 2008 10:14 AM

even after all emigrations to the greener west , india still has a lot of talent. whereas greener west makes a mountain of a mole hill of talent with its supportive environment, in india we even trash mountains of talent to mole hill because of politics of reservation as a vote ban

G S RAINA (NEW DELHI)
13 Mar, 2008 10:09 AM

THIS HAS NEVER BEEN SUCCESSFUL..NEITHER IT WILL BE,…FOR SURE..IN ANY CASE WOULD ANY NRI BE SATISFIED WORKING ON A TECHNOLOGY WHICH HE CAN ‘DEVELOP/ INNOVATE’ ABROAD..WOULD ONE LIKE TO BE THE USER OR THE INVENTOR?

Manjunath (Bangalore)
13 Mar, 2008 10:03 AM

DRDO seeing one more “Day Dream” !!

R.Varadarajan (Bangalore)
13 Mar, 2008 09:55 AM

A good idea to attract good scientists.

C V Pillai (Mumbai)
13 Mar, 2008 09:50 AM

Having worked in a well known Institute for nearly 30 years, I had tried to analyse the problems faced by the best talents who opt for employment in India. The main hurdle is their superiors, who refuse to accept their subordinate’s level of competancy. The pity is that many of these superiors are following the same British style hierarchy,(which is still being followed by our Babujis in NewDelhi) without realizing the situtaion. The situation means the facilities and status offerd by the private sector. Therefore the necessity is to change the attitude of the middle and high level persons in these establishments and then only the newly selected will able to perform well. Appropriate training / counseling may be given to these Officers to understand the changed environment. The Defence minister may please look into this at the earliest.

gadadhari_bhim (usa)
13 Mar, 2008 09:47 AM

I think what the DRDO fails to recognize that it’s not the technical quality of people which is creating a problem. The Problem is the environment where there is no accountability and lack of true meritrocracy. Of course there are issues of pay and other facilities to the scientists i.e. if you want to want to attract top people you have to give top pay and best working environment

Badri (Hyd)
13 Mar, 2008 09:45 AM

I think DRDO has taken a good step towords Brain Drain. It was late but they have implemented it..Govt company’s in India has got lot of potential only thing is they want proper process and mangement in place. My sincer advice atleast dont implement reservation at that high profile jobs….. hunt for talent.

Prabhjot (London)
13 Mar, 2008 09:44 AM

Brain drain has an exponential relationship with salaries. With a carry-home monthly package of just about Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000, DRDO must be dreaming to attract back NRIs.

TruLies (Chennai)
13 Mar, 2008 08:50 AM

Why dont INDIA allow private R&D in defence projects. Govt can procure its weapons from them, save lot foreign exchange. With this govt can create more jobs. Latter these companies also will go export…

JK (MN)
13 Mar, 2008 08:26 AM

DRDO feels they are the god father of all the techies migrated to US.First you clean those mess then think about brains.

ashwani (canada)
13 Mar, 2008 08:06 AM

It is good to hear that we are finally planning to attract talent for DRDO but is it possible to keep DRDO away from rserved jobs at lower levels who finally also get promoted to higher levels.

Dr.G.Srinivasan (india)
13 Mar, 2008 07:32 AM

Ask Arjun singh and his coterie he will get you the necessary brains

rk (USA)
13 Mar, 2008 05:41 AM

Its time to scrap DRDO. Enough of tax payers money wasted.