Parliamentary Committee Urges Defence Ministry to Maximize Funds

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has called on the Ministry of Defence to ensure the full utilization of budgetary allocations for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The committee, led by BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh, expressed a positive outlook on the advanced technology research undertaken by the DRDO, emphasizing the importance of maximizing the impact of allocated funds.

In its recent report, the committee highlighted the DRDO’s innovative work in areas such as advanced materials, hypersonic technologies, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, directed energy weapons, lasers, and artificial intelligence. The organization has identified several key focus areas for deep technology, including artificial intelligence, cognitive technologies, quantum technologies, neuromorphic computing, military cyber technologies, and compound semiconductors.

Budgetary Support and Funding Initiatives

The Ministry of Defence assured the committee that adequate financial support will be provided to the armed forces and the DRDO. In a previous report, the committee recommended that necessary funds be allocated to the DRDO at all stages of the budgetary process. Recently, the committee submitted an ‘action taken report’ in Parliament detailing these priorities.

For the current financial year, the DRDO has been allocated Rs 26,816 crore. In addition, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved an extra grant of Rs 500 crore to bolster deep-tech and advanced projects under the Technology Development Fund (TDF). The funding cap for projects under the TDF has been increased from Rs 10 crore to Rs 50 crore per initiative, reflecting a commitment to advancing technological capabilities in the defence sector.

Over the past three years, the TDF scheme has sanctioned 12 projects valued at Rs 23.61 crore in emerging technology fields such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and robotics. This funding aims to stimulate innovation and enhance India’s defence readiness.

Collaborative Research Efforts

The DRDO has also established 15 DRDO Industry Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs) at renowned institutions including IITs, IISc, and various central and state universities. These centres are designed to promote targeted research across 82 identified research verticals, aligning with future needs in defence technology. While the results of these academia-driven projects may not be immediately applicable to current military technologies, they are expected to contribute significantly to future DRDO research programs.

Thus far, 285 projects worth Rs 1,037.48 crore have been approved as grants-in-aid to institutions nationwide through the DIA-CoEs. This initiative underscores the DRDO’s strategy to foster collaboration between industry and academic research, ultimately enhancing India’s technological advancements in defence.

For the current financial year, the TDF Directorate plans to allocate approximately Rs 60 crore for deep-technology and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance initiatives awarded to Indian industries. By prioritizing these sectors, the Indian government aims to bolster its defence capabilities in a rapidly evolving global landscape.