BANGALORE, Feb 8:
Playing down Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne objection over delays in development and production of aircraft and defence equipment by the DRDO, DRDO chief V K Saraswat today said it should not be construed as ‘bashing’ of the research organisation which was doing a great job in indigenizing the defence production.
Speaking at a press conference at the ongoing Aero India at the Yelahanka Air Station here, said DRDO, Ministry of Defence and the user (three three armed forces) were part of the same system of indigenous development of defence equipment.
‘Pereception may change and vary with respect to what is the expectation and what we are able to deliver. Honestly there are some gaps that have persisted from the last 25 to 30 years. This is why you feel if somebody is complaining that the system is not delivered, it is considered DRDO bashing. I don’t consider it as such. It is a statement of perception of users,’ he commented.
Air Chief Marshal Browne had expressed unhappiness over the delays in development, production and up-gradation of aircraft by the DRDO and HAL and cited the development of LCA Tejus and delivery of licence-produced Sukhoi 30 Mki fighter aircraft had overshot deadlines by years. Speaking to reporters during his visit to the city to attend the Aero India he had also demanded that the government should consider imposing heavy penalties on defence suppliers who do not stick to delivery schedules.
‘It is a fact of life that development process will take time. Users have also now realised that you cannot get final product which have no changes to be made. So they have started looking at spiral development. This is the reason we are developing the project in a gradual manner and upgrading them continuously. This will change the perception against DRDO,’ he said.
The value of defence equipment DRDO had so far supplied and have on its order book is valued of Rs 1,42,000 crore. This includes products including an array of missiles, aircraft that include LCA and Dhruv helicopters, armament like MBT Arjun, a number of products for air force including the AEW and C, large number of radars and rockets.
On launching the marketing arm of DRDO, Dr Saraswat said the commercial arm of the DRDO has been put up to the union government for sanction and as soon it happens it will become a reality. May be in three to four months time government may give clearance.
He said the development of DRDO’s own operating system was being carried out by the DRDO engineers and industry partners. (UNI)
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