DRDO fully focussed on enhancing self-reliance in military hardware: Antony

New Delhi, Dec 16 (ANI): Defence Minister A K Antony assured the Parliament on Wednesday that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is fully focussed towards enhancing self-reliance in military hardware.

Antony, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, stated that achieving self-reliance in this area (military hardware) is a joint responsibility that has to be met through national efforts by all government agencies including Defence Ministry Defence Industries (both Public and private), Ordnance Factories and the DRDO.

"As per provisions in Defence Procurement Procedure for Make Category, DRDO is concentrating only on development of strategic, complex and security sensitive systems," Antony has informed the House.

He also stated that the DRDO has developed a number of systems, products, technologies worth Rs. 30,000 crore which have already been inducted into armed forces, besides a large numbers are in the process of development production and induction.

"The DRDO has also been developing need based products for armed forces operating at high altitudes, deserts, rain forest, deep sea, etc and to increase their operational efficiency," Antony has stated.

Antony also informed the members that these products were extremely useful in protecting Indian soldiers against adverse environmental conditions. "Technologies, developed by DRDO, have been transferred to industries for their bulk production to meet the demands of armed forces," stated Antony while adding that there were no financial constraints in DRDO to attract trained talents.

"Sixth Central Pay Commission has also recommended a number of incentives for scientists which have been accepted and implemented by the government. Attrition of scientists has reduced in the last two years in DRDO," Antony stated. (ANI)