DRDO to develop Rs 42,000 cr worth equipment in 10 years

Bangalore, Oct 31 (UNI) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will develop Aeronautical equipment worth Rs 42,000 crore during the next ten years, DRDO Chief Controller Dr Prahlada said today.

Talking to newspersons here, he said DRDO would churn out Rs 26,000 crore worth of equipment to be inducted into three wings of Defence.

The public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), catering to armed forces would come out with Rs 12,000 crore of equipment while the Civil aviation sector, which has manufactured SARAS aircraft, would come out with Rs 4,000 crore worth equipment which could be utilised both for civil and defence purpose, he added.

Considering the importance of aeronautical development, 30 per cent of the Defence budget was earmarked for the development of Aeronautical system in the country, he said adding that though DRDO has minuscule manpower, the success was possible with involvement of industries, both in private and public sectors.

Replying to a question, Dr Prahlada said private and public industries and science and technology institutions were playing a vital role in the progress of DRDO since they were actively involved in testing, evaluation, manufacturing and software development.

During the next ten years the line up of DRDO's Rs 26,000 core worth equipment would come out in the form of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), both for Naval as well as Trainer versions, Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA), Airborne Early Warning System one for Airforce and another for Air Force, Command Center and Equipment Center besides Airborne systems both Medium Altitude, High Altitude, Long Range, Combined Air Vehicle with weapon, carriers of bomb and rocket for military purpose, he said.

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