Rajnath Singh Chairs Defence Committee Tour to DRDO's ARDE, Pune - Proponent of India's Pursuit of Indigenous Defence Innovation
The Defence Ministry of India's Consultative Committee, led by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, made a crucial visit to the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune — among the top laboratories in the Armament & Combat Engineering Systems (ACE) cluster of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
The tour reinforced India's faster development towards technological self-reliance and self-dependent defence production.
Display of Sophisticated Indigenous Weapon Systems
During the tour, the committee saw a number of future-generation systems developed by DRDO's ACE cluster. The tests included the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), PINAKA Rocket System, Light Tank 'Zorawar', Wheeled Armoured Platform, and the AKASH-Next Generation Missile.
Presentations on advancements in robotics, rail-gun technology, electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS), and high-energy propulsion materials were followed by discussions regarding the R&D roadmap for future innovations.
'Innovation is No Longer Optional' — Rajnath Singh
Addressing on the subject "Emerging Technologies and DRDO", Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that technological innovation has turned into the pillar of new-age warfare.
Today is an era of technological supremacy. Those who control innovation will shape the future," he said. He again reaffirmed the government's intent to induct advanced technologies into India's national security apparatus, naming innovation as the essence of strategic thinking.
Transforming from Technology Users to Technology Creators
The Raksha Mantri called upon India to break away from its conventional reliance on overseas systems.
We need to not only use technology but make it too," he asserted. He referred to Aatmanirbharta in defence as the country's final bulwark, pointing out that protectionist world policies tend to restrict access to game-changing technologies.
"India has overcome such hurdles with resolute intent and visionary policy. Today, we are not only fulfilling domestic defence requirements but also becoming a reliable defence partner of the world," he added.
Strengthening the Defence R&D Ecosystem
Shri Rajnath Singh appreciated DRDO efforts in attaining parity with world levels in technologies earlier imported. India's R&D ecosystem has transformed into a national movement with start-ups, academia, industry, and public enterprises, he stated.
"DRDO, PSUs, private industry, and young entrepreneurs are collectively re-writing India's defence innovation narrative — from AI and cyber security to quantum communication and space technology," he emphasized.
Committee Feedback and Future Outlook
Members of the Consultative Committee appreciated the achievements of the ACE cluster and offered positive suggestions for planning future policies.
Shri Rajnath Singh ensured that their suggestions would be taken into consideration carefully for implementation.
The meeting was joined by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Defence Chief of Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Production Secretary Shri Sanjeev Kumar, DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V. Kamat, and senior scientists and officials of the ACE cluster.
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