In an interaction with Indian media agency, on January 25, 2024, the chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Samir Kamat said that nearly 4.94 lakh crores worth of DRDO developed products have either been inducted or have received the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).
Message from DRDO Chief
“Approximately, 4.94 lakh crores worth DRDO developed products have either been inducted in defence or have received the Acceptance of Necessity (AON) from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC),” Kamat said. The developments are now increasingly being done much faster than earlier. “My estimate is that more than 60 to 70 percent of the indicted projects are in the last five to seven years. This rate is going to increase dramatically as we go ahead, he added.
Significance for DRDO
This rapid development is a testament to the dedication and innovation of the DRDO scientists and engineers. The progress achieved by the DRDO has immense strategic implications for India. It fosters self-sufficiency in crucial defence equipment, reduces the dependence on foreign imports and empowers India to develop and deploy cutting edge technology.
The impressive 4.94 lakh figure is just not a financial metric, it represents a giant leap forward for India’s quest in self-reliance and a major boost to its national security. With the DRDO continuing its accelerated development, India’s defence capabilities are poised to reach new heights in the years to come.
The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) signifies the critical stage where thr Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) greenlights the acquisition of a defence system, making it a crucial milestone for the DRDO developed products. The sheer volume of projects reaching this stage underscores the increasing trust and reliance placed on DRDO capabilities.
Missile Export to Philippines
As far as the Brahmos missiles ae concerned, the DRDO Chief has said that the first set of Brahmos missile systems expected to reach Philippines by the end of March 2024. “The ground system must be sent in the next ten days, the missiles will hopefully go by March to Philippines,” Kamat said. India signed a deal with Philippines worth USD 375 million in January 2022 for the supply of shore based anti-ship variant to the island nation.
The Brahmos missile export to the Philippines is the biggest ever defence export contract signed with any foreign country by India. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system is one of the most successful missile programs in the world. As the world’s best and fastest precision-guided weapon, BRAHMOS has fortified India’s deterrence power in 21st century.
The BrahMos is said to be one of the most successful missile programs. Acknowledged as the foremost and swiftest precision-guided weapon on a global scale, BrahMos has played a pivotal role in enhancing India’s deterrence capabilities.
Designed and developed by India-Russia joint venture entity BrahMos Aerospace, supersonic cruise missile BrahMos has continued to evolve as the most versatile weapon in its genre. The next generation variant of the missile has smaller, lighter and smarter dimensions designed for deployment on a wider number of modern military platforms.
