DRDO, US defence labs collaborating for research projects

New Delhi, Mar 14: Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and American defence labs are working together on several research projects in fields such as life sciences, naval and cognitive sciences, the Parliament was informed today.

"Defence research labs of US department of Defence and DRDO are having ongoing research programs in the areas of life sciences, material sciences, naval sciences, power and energy, cognitive science and human performance enhancement and war fighter protection," Defence Minister AK Antony said in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

On whether US has refused to provide dual use technologies needed by DRDO, Antony said, "As per existing US laws, all dual use items exported out of the country require an export licence from US Department of Commerce depending on item''s classification." He further informed that major foreign partners of DRDO include Russia, Israel, Germany, France, USA, Belarus, Brazil and Singapore.

"DRDO is having Research and Development cooperation including joint development of weapons systems and platforms (with these countries)," Antony said.

Meanwhile, replying to another query on whether the government is exporting products manufactured by DRDO, Antony said that "efforts are on to identify the products and to explore the possibilities of exports of the products designed and developed by DRDO." "However, the first objective is to fulfill the requirements of our armed forces," he said.

Antony further added that achieving self-reliance in defence production is a joint responsibility that has to be met through national efforts by all government agencies and public and private industries.

PTI