Chairman, DRDO & Secretary DDR&D
As India accelerates its march towards defence self-reliance and export-driven growth, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) continues to play a defining role in shaping the nation’s technological prowess. From combat aircraft and missile systems to radars, UAVs, and electronic warfare solutions, DRDO’s innovations are strengthening India’s armed forces while expanding the country’s footprint in global defence markets. In an interview with Arabian Defence, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, DDR&D and Chairman, DRDO, discusses the organisation’s contribution to India’s defence export momentum, advancements in indigenous aeronautical programmes such as the LCA Tejas and AMCA, and so on.
India has been steadily strengthening its defence exports. How is DRDO supporting this momentum, and which indigenous systems are being showcased as export ready?
DRDO support industries in evolving the specifications of the export variant of the products (based on DRDO technology) to enable industries to respond to the RFPs. DRDO also carries out customization in the product to meet the requirement of customer countries based on the requirement of the industries. The "DRDO SOP for Export of Military Equipment" facilitate Indian industries and DRDO labs to provide necessary technical support to industries for responding to RFI before necessary approval from MoD is obtained by the industry.
India’s defence sector has witnessed remarkable progress in recent years, with DRDO playing a pivotal role in driving innovation and bolstering exports. Indian defence equipment has high demand in Middle Eastern, African, and South Asian countries.
BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is one of DRDO’s most notable contributions to India’s defence exports. Besides, interest is shown in Akash missile by many friendly countries. The export version of Akash will be different from System currently deployed with Indian Armed Forces. DRDO has also contributed to India’s defence exports through Radars, Electronic warfare systems, Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Armoured vehicles, and Naval systems.
How far has India progressed in achieving self-reliance in aeronautical technologies, particularly with developments like the LCA Tejas?
DRDO has been continuously making headways in aerospace sector through research & innovation and strengthening national security through design & development of equipments. Starting from scratch, we are now self-reliant in aeronautical technologies. This include development of our own combat aircraft Tejas, Some of the notable achievements include UAV TAPAS which is DRDO's solution to the tri services ISTAR requirements, Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing UAV, and the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), as well as advanced engine technologies, including a recent scramjet combustor test.
“Tejas” the premier programme undertaken by ADA with significant contributions by participant organizations is a triumphant venture culminating in the induction for operations by IAF. This has led to the successful formation of 'Flying Daggers', No. 45 Squadron of IAF and 'Flying Bullets' No. 18 Squadron of IAF. LCA Tejas is a highly capable aerial platform, which has a commendable record in flight safety which speaks volumes about its quality. Based on its success, the government has now approved LCA-Mk II for the Indian Air Force. Three other variants of the LCA Programme, viz., Air Force Trainer, Navy Trainer and Navy Fighter are under flight test. Mk2 versions of Air Force is 4.5+ generation aircraft with higher thrust engine and improved mission and point performance is in advanced stage of design. Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) design activities has been initiated to meet the Indian Navy's long term carrier based multirole fighter requirements. This is envisaged to replace the current MiG-29K.
The Mk1A variant of Tejas features several indigenously developed technologies such as the DFCC, AESA radar, and electronic warfare systems. Could you elaborate on the significance of these achievements?
Tejas LCA Mk1 is the improved version of the aircraft, Tejas MK1A features advanced mission computer, high performance Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC Mk1A), Smart Multi-Function Displays (SMFD), Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Advanced Self-protection Jammer, Electronic Warfare Suit etc.In a significant development towards Tejas Mk1A programme, the Digital Fly by Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC) was integrated in prototype LSP7 and successfully flown. DFCC has been indigenously developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) for the Tejas - Mk1A.
This Mk-1A variant equipped with critical operational capabilities of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missile, Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite and Air to Air Refuelling (AAR) would be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of the IAF.
Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESAR) is a multimode, solid-state active phased array fire control radar with scalable architecture that can be adapted for various types of fighter class of aircraft. It is the first “Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)” category procurement of combat aircrafts with an indigenous content of 50 per cent which will progressively reach 60% by the end of the programme.
How do you plan to ensure that India’s next-generation fighters like AMCA remain competitive in the global arena against established platforms?
AMCA is 5th generation stealth, medium weight (25T) category, multi-role and twin engine fighter aircraft with a swing role capability. Specific steps are being taken to ensure that AMCA and other indigenous technologies remain adaptable to future advancements. In this aircraft, the composites, in addition to the shaping as well as RAM and RAP (Radar Absorbent Material and Radar Absorbent Paint) which we are developing, are going to play a key role in ensuring that the stealth requirements for this fighter are met. The aircraft has trapezoidal wings, all moving Horizontal tails and twin canted Vertical tails with Composite and Radar Absorbing Structures.
The advanced technologies that confer stealth capabilities are DSI with Serpentine Duct, Internal Weapon Bay (IWB), Radar Absorbing Material (RAM) and Conformal Antennae. The stealth mission enables the Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD), Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD) and precision strike.
From advanced avionics to life-support systems, DRDO has been pushing boundaries in indigenous R&D. What is your long-term vision for India’s aeronautical self-reliance?
DRDO focuses on various Cutting-Edge Technologies for System Design and Validation, Innovative Approaches for Airworthiness & Certification, Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to enhance Future of Aviation, Pioneering Advancements in Electronics and Sensing Technology, Global Insights into Next–Gen Propulsion Systems, Emerging Trends in Military Aviation, Innovations driving Human Missions beyond Earth. We will stress upon the adoption of disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Additive Manufacturing in Hypersonic Aircraft, Directed Energy Weapons, Robotics and Autonomous Systems in addition to Unmanned Aerial Systems and Tactical Drones etc.
The role of private sector as a long-term strategic partner in making investments in the manufacturing sector and thereby, creating a strong defence industrial ecosystem. DRDO is engaging all the stakeholders of defence ecosystem, including private industry and Start-ups in developing critical defence systems. Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme aligns perfectly with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by bringing public/private industries especially Start-ups and MSMEs in the fold of design and manufacturing of defence technology.
DRDO has established a network of DRDO Industry Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs) to promote collaborative directed research, facilitating the development of critical and futuristic technologies for defence and security applications. A total of 15 DIA-CoEs have been set up across the country at premier institutions such as IITs, IISc, and central universities. DRDO has been partnering with industry for the realization of its systems.
What is DRDO’s perspective on the defence market in the Middle East, and how do you see Indian-made defence technologies contributing to the region’s security needs?
Middle East is one of the most dynamic defence markets in the world and there is a strong capability for the export of Indian Defence products/technologies in the region. There are lot of potential for DRDO developed Products in this region. This includes missile systems, including BrahMos NG, Air Defence systems including Akash, Artillery units including Pinaka, Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), Radars, Light Tank and CBRN Vehicle etc.
