The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is undergoing a significant transformation, with the government set to finalize decisions on contentious recommendations proposed by a high-powered expert committee.
The committee, led by Prof. K Vijay Raghavan, has recommended a comprehensive restructuring of DRDO, including consolidating its 41 labs into 10 national labs and establishing five national test facilities. The creation of a new Department of Defence Science, Technology, and Innovation (DDSTI) to replace the existing Department of Defence R&D is also under consideration.
DRDO has agreed to implement around 60% of the major reforms, but certain recommendations have sparked debate. The organization has proposed alternative approaches to these contentious points, which will be evaluated by the government.
One of the key proposals is the establishment of a Prime Minister-led defence technology council (DTC) to decide the country's defence R&D and technology roadmap, along with major projects. This council would include the defence minister and the national security advisor as vice-presidents, with an empowered executive committee chaired by the chief of defence staff.
The reform process aims to enhance DRDO's efficiency, foster collaboration with academia and the private sector, and accelerate the development of cutting-edge defence technologies. By streamlining its structure and focusing on key areas, DRDO is expected to become a more agile and responsive organization capable of meeting the evolving challenges of modern warfare.
The government's decision on the remaining reforms will be crucial in determining the extent of DRDO's transformation and its ability to contribute to India's self-reliance in defence. The reforms are seen as essential to address the challenges faced by DRDO, such as cost and time overruns in developing advanced weapon systems.
The overarching goal is to build a strong national ecosystem with the capability to design, develop, and manufacture advanced weapon systems, fostering a "whole of nation" approach that involves DRDO, academia, the private sector, and the armed forces.
