Parrikar pulls up DRDO for delays in key projects

[CONNAN]

Panaji: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday bluntly told the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that their products were not up to expectations and that several key projects undertaken by them were either behind schedule or were found to be falling short when compared to equipment sourced from foreign defence contractors.

Parrikar's comments threw DRDO officials off guard, but the defence minister, continuing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for 'Make in India', asked DRDO to buck up and develop indigenous products that matched international standards.

Parrikar made these observations while interacting with DRDO officials on the sidelines of the launch of the fourth edition of the Bharatiya Vigyan Expo 2015 in Panaji, where he took keen interest in various projects DRDO had completed or is in the process of completing.

When DRDO officials showcased their Quadcopter drones, Parrikar asked them how long the drones could stay in the air. To this, DRDO officials said the drones could fly up to eight hours. Parrikar shot back saying this was not enough for the armed forces. "This may be useful for police surveillance. We must develop unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, which can last for over 28 days." Quadcopters take a lot of energy, but UAVs consume less energy, he added.

A case in point would be the Combat Free Fall System that DRDO supplies to the armed forces. Parrikar informed DRDO officials that the Army had brought it to his notice that imported parachutes could be used for around 100 times while the DRDO Combat Free Fall System had a life of just 40 uses.

While the visibly nervous DRDO officials remained mum, they did point out to the TOI correspondent that their system had been in place for 20 years and till date none of the armed forces had complained and DRDO had instead received commendation for the system.

Parrikar also directed the DRDO officials to find an alternative use for the Kaveri engine that was developed to power the Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas), which was recently shelved.

Parrikar went to the BrahMos missile enclosure and sought to know what propellants were being used, its range, cruising speed, and was satisfied with the answers. Then he went to the enclosure of the Akash surface-to-air missile and wanted to know how it compares with Pakistan's surface-to-air missile. To this, the officials explained that there was no comparison as Pakistan's missile was short-range whereas India's was a long-range missile. Also, the payload of the Akash missile was way ahead.

Box

DRDO "morale low" after Chander dismissal

The summary dismissal of Defence Research and Development Organisation chief Avinash Chander in mid-January has lowered the morale of several DRDO officials within the public sector defence unit and they find themselves at a loss, DRDO officials present at the Bharatiya Vigyan Expo 2015 said. They also added that a lack of trust between the ministry of defence and DRDO existed which was a major hurdle, but none of the officials wanted to come on record given the sensitivities.

Parrikar pulls up DRDO for delays in key projects - The Times of India

 

[magudi]

hahaha Babus ki lag gayi :omghaha;

No more free rides

 

[SwAggeR]

Incumbent DM is IITian himself so, DRDO labs and HAL will feel the pressure they had never felt before.

 

[Ind4Ever]

This is now MoD should work . Am expecting monthly review by MoD and parikar himself. Funny part was : When DRDO officials showcased their Quadcopter drones, Parrikar asked them how long the drones could stay in the air. To this, DRDO officials said the drones could fly up to eight hours. Parrikar shot back saying this was not enough for the armed forces. "This may be useful for police surveillance. We must develop unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, which can last for over 28 days." Quadcopters take a lot of energy, but UAVs consume less energy, he added.

 

[deckingraj]

Awesome these idiots needs to be pulled like anything. morons don't understand that 60-70% of defence needs being satisfied by foreign companies is a shame!!

 

[Indian Patriot]

This is an eye-opener to those blind fools who believe DRDO is innocent and unfairly targeted by media. The fools go so far as to blame army for corruption because they don't buy from DRDO.

If DRDO makes good products the army will buy, simple.

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

This is an eye-opener to those blind fools who believe DRDO is innocent and unfairly targeted by media. The fools go so far as to blame army for corruption because they don't buy from DRDO.

If DRDO makes good products the army will buy, simple.

You are 100% right.

I was in a discussion about INSAS and these idiots who have never even touched the INSAS are telling me that a soldier who has used this gun in field operations is wrong and they using their physics data available on wikipedia are right.

Then these morons accuse the Army of corruption for not buying Arjun and going for T90 which by the way is a highly rated tank even by the western analyst.

 

[Indian Patriot]

You are 100% right.

I was in a discussion about INSAS and these idiots who have never even touched the INSAS are telling me that a soldier who has used this gun in field operations is wrong and they using their physics data available on wikipedia are right.

Then these morons accuse the Army of corruption for not buying Arjun and going for T90 which by the way is a highly rated tank even by the western analyst.

INSAS is a sh1tty rifle. That's a very plain and simple conclusion. It is overweight, clumsy, can't carry enough rounds, jams, breaks down and lacks punching power. But some blind fans keep spinning rubbish to support it. Thank God Indian army now finally can get their hands on a modern 21st century firearm and not some cheap AK-47 knock off.

The accusations of corruption against army is not only immature and stupid but also speaks a lot about their mentality. The army risks their lives guarding India, so if they don't find merit in a weapon then it means they don't find any merit in a weapon. Accusing the army of corruption without proof is a serious allegation for which they have no back-up.

Problem with DRDO is they rely on technology-transfer instead of innovation. They will seek technology from foreign companies and assemble aircraft/ tanks/ rifles in India. That is not why the DRDO is in existence.

India lacks a modern 155mm 52 caliber arty gun. DRDO is still struggling to come up with a solution while TATA already has teamed up with Denel and show cased a truck mounted 155/52 cal gun.

DRDO needs to be made accountable and forced to work within a strict deadline. The way DRDO extends projects into decades is simply not done. Mr. Parrikar is going in the right direction and thanks to him Indian defence forces can look ahead to some quality equipment. I personally feel private companies like TATA, Mahindra, Larsen and Toubro, and other such companies should be invited to participate in defense deals.

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

INSAS is a sh1tty rifle. That's a very plain and simple conclusion. It is overweight, clumsy, can't carry enough rounds, jams, breaks down and lacks punching power. But some blind fans keep spinning rubbish to support it. Thank God Indian army now finally can get their hands on a modern 21st century firearm and not some cheap AK-47 knock off.

The accusations of corruption against army is not only immature and stupid but also speaks a lot about their mentality. The army risks their lives guarding India, so if they don't find merit in a weapon then it means they don't find any merit in a weapon. Accusing the army of corruption without proof is a serious allegation for which they have no back-up.

Problem with DRDO is they rely on technology-transfer instead of innovation. They will seek technology from foreign companies and assemble aircraft/ tanks/ rifles in India. That is not why the DRDO is in existence.

India lacks a modern 155mm 52 caliber arty gun. DRDO is still struggling to come up with a solution while TATA already has teamed up with Denel and show cased a truck mounted 155/52 cal gun.

DRDO needs to be made accountable and forced to work within a strict deadline. The way DRDO extends projects into decades is simply not done. Mr. Parrikar is going in the right direction and thanks to him Indian defence forces can look ahead to some quality equipment. I personally feel private companies like TATA, Mahindra, Larsen and Toubro, and other such companies should be invited to participate in defense deals.

I agree with you 100%.If you criticise the INSAS they will say that it has problems due to its 5.56 ammo and these morons will use wikipedia and suggest that according to physics the Insas is better than a Tavor..same thing goes for the Arjun.I have yet not met anyone in the Army who puts T90 in the second place even if you compare it with the Arjun..but these genius wont agree and blame you,your physics,the army and the russians for everything and not accept that the product is not upto the mark.

A driver knows about his cars performance more than a engineer would ever know sitting in his lab and those who blame the Army for Insas and Arjun are retarded.

 

[oFFbEAT]

This is an eye-opener to those blind fools who believe DRDO is innocent and unfairly targeted by media. The fools go so far as to blame army for corruption because they don't buy from DRDO.

If DRDO makes good products the army will buy, simple.

.....and you morons think there is no corruption in Indian Defense Forces....

Indian AF Official Removed After Dassault Bribery Charge | Defense News | defensenews.com

Corruption in the Indian Armed Forces’ Procurement Process

Both politicians and Defense personnel collude in such cases....the only saving fact is that the Defense Forces have their own investigation and justice/court system....
Since the ultimate power is in the hands of the Govt., if the Govt. is corrupt, the 'Army' cannot do much......that's why we haven't seen any movement on 'Tejas' during the Congress rule......Modi Govt. comes and hands over the first 'Tejas' to IAF.....

 

[Water Car Engineer]

Then these morons accuse the Army of corruption for not buying Arjun and going for T90 which by the way is a highly rated tank even by the western analyst.

Bro, it was recently revealed that the army purposefully gave the T90 relaxed parameters against the Arjun in trials, who does that? This was also the trials where Arjun performed on par or better. And to add they have been changing the requirements of the tank over and over and over again.

This tank was dead before it even started, because of the lack of communication between the army and drdo. Unlike the navy and it's own projects.

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

Bro, it was recently revealed that the army purposefully gave the T90 relaxed parameters against the Arjun in trials, who does that? This was also the trials where Arjun performed on par or better. And to add they have been changing the requirements of the his tank over and over and over again.

I have no idea about the corruption part but let me tell you that the T90 is highy rated in the Indian Army and even by the western experts because it is of a small size and packs a good punch for its size.In a Discovery channel countdown it was placed on no. 2 in the list of lethal weapons below the Abraham model with the combat sappers.

I would myself find it very difficult not to favour T90.

At the end of the day the soldier chooses what he carries to the battle coz his choice will decide if he gets to live again or not.

I know no organisation in India is free of corruption and so is the Indian Army but those who criticise the Army for every failure of the DRDO products should lead by example and join the Army to carry the products they favour to a battlefield.

 

[Water Car Engineer]

I have no idea about the corruption part but let me tell you that the T90 is highy rated in the Indian Army and even by the western experts because it is of a small size and packs a good punch for its size.In a Discovery channel countdown it was placed on no. 2 in the list of lethal weapons below the Abraham model with the combat sappers.

I would myself find it very difficult not to favour T90.

At the end of the day the soldier chooses what he carries to the battle coz his choice will decide if he gets to live again or not.

I know no organisation in India is free of corruption and so is the Indian Army but those who criticise the Army for every failure of the DRDO products should lead by example and join the Army to carry the products they favour to a battlefield.

It's dirty everywhere, IA is no exception.

I totally understand that the IA doesnt want to support such a tank, when the support system in place is for 1000++ T90s/72s. But the recent evidence IS telling. The fact they intentionally made the trials easier for the T90, and Arjun ended up actually pulling out being on par or superior is telling a lot.

 

[Indian Patriot]

It is the army who is the end-user of the product. If they are unhappy with something they have a right to reject. For the sake of going desi the national security cannot be compromised. Why should the army risk their lives and India's security by buying local weapons if they get better weapons from abroad for the same money? What is more important for you, the safety of the country or desi weapons?

The army did not say it is boycotting DRDO. If the DRDO is making good products the army will definitely buy. And this is exactly what Mr. Parrikar has told. He has asked DRDO to be more professional. Now will you accuse Mr. Parrikar of being corrupt?

@oFFbEAT - You are very casually throwing around charges of corruption. If armed forces are so corrupt as to buy inferior products because of bribes it is not only a big scandal but also poses serious threats to the country. Are you trying to suggest that? Or are you trying to suggest that armed forces of India can not be trusted?

@COLDHEARTED AVIATOR - It's no use talking sense to them. They will think you are trolling for stating the obvious.

 

[oFFbEAT]

...I know no organisation in India is free of corruption and so is the Indian Army......

Then why are you guys saying that those who criticize the Army are fools??....

.... but those who criticise the Army for every failure of the DRDO products should lead by example and join the Army to carry the products they favour to a battlefield...

According to your logic, a doctor(say) cannot criticize the politicians for corruption.....he has to become a politician and cleanse the system....
A Bank clerk(say) cannot protest/criticize police inaction(in any case)......he has to join the police force and do the job himself....
A Taxi driver(say) cannot criticize a doctor for 'dereliction of duty' which might have resulted in the death of his near ones(say) ....... he has to become a doctor and show how things are done....
..............
..............
That is, according to your logic, no-one can criticize any other person for anything in this God-dammed world.........
I suppose, you've never criticized anyone in your life so far......you always did the job yourself.