Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):

• It is the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India, with a vision to empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies and a mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems.
• It is India’s largest research organisation. 
• Formation: The organisation was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then already functioning Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO). 
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• It has a network of laboratories engaged in developing defence technologies covering various fields, like aeronautics, armaments, electronics, land combat engineering, life sciences, materials, missiles, and naval systems.
• Major Projects:
  • DRDO’s first project for the Indian military was in surface-to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo. However, it received little success and was therefore discontinued. 
  • Since being set up, DRDO has achieved many successes in developing major systems and critical technologies like aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, EW Systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, sonar systems, command and control systems and missile systems.
  • In 2016, It successfully tested its first indigenously developed heavy-duty drone, Rustom 2, which is an unmanned armed combat vehicle developed on the lines of the US’s Predator drone.
  • DRDO co-developed INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear ballistic missile submarine, which became operational in 2018.
  • In March 2019, DRDO developed India’s first anti-satellite system that made India one of the space superpowers.
  • DRDO has also developed several ballistic missiles under its Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, which includes missiles like Prithvi, Trishul, Agni, Akash and Nag.

Q1) What is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)?

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), often referred to as a drone, is an aircraft that operates without a human pilot on board. UAVs are controlled remotely by a human operator or autonomously by onboard computers. These vehicles can vary greatly in size, design, and capabilities, and they are used for a wide range of applications across various industries. 

Source: Centre Sets Up High Powered 9-Member Committee To Review DRDO’s Activities, Report Expected In 3 Months

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