SOURCE: AFI
At the prestigious CII Annual Business Summit, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), emphasized the critical need to bolster investment in research and development (R&D) to strengthen India’s defense capabilities. In his address, Dr. Kamat highlighted the current allocation of 5% of the nation’s defense budget towards R&D and shared an ambitious commitment from the Raksha Mantri to double this figure to 10% over the next five years.
Dr. Kamat underscored the pivotal role of R&D in achieving self-reliance in defense technology, aligning with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. “We need to invest more in research and development to develop cutting-edge technologies and reduce our dependence on imports,” he stated. The proposed increase in funding, he noted, would enable DRDO and its ecosystem of partners to accelerate innovation, develop indigenous defense systems, and enhance India’s strategic autonomy.
The announcement comes at a time when India is making significant strides in indigenous defense manufacturing, with projects like the recently developed 1500HP Automatic Transmission (DATRAN-1500) by DRDO’s CVRDE and advancements in missile technology, unmanned systems, and next-generation weaponry. Dr. Kamat’s call for increased R&D investment reflects the growing recognition of the need to foster innovation to meet the evolving challenges of modern warfare.
The gradual increase to 10% of the defense budget for R&D, as promised by the Raksha Mantri, is expected to catalyze breakthroughs in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber defense, and advanced materials. This move will also strengthen collaborations with private industry, academia, and startups, fostering a robust defense innovation ecosystem.
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