New Delhi | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the present era demands a mindset of “survival of the fastest”, rather than merely relying on the traditional idea of “survival of the fittest,” underlining the critical importance of speed, innovation, and rapid deployment in modern warfare.
Addressing top-performing scientists and technical staff of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Defence Minister said that Operation Sindoor clearly demonstrated how indigenous defence systems are significantly strengthening India’s operational readiness. He stressed that self-reliance in defence is no longer just a government policy, but has evolved into a national mindset.
Indigenous Defence Systems Prove Their Strength
Rajnath Singh said that the successful use of DRDO-developed technologies during Operation Sindoor boosted both the capability and confidence of the Indian Armed Forces. Indigenous weapons systems, sensors, missiles, drones, and electronic warfare platforms played a decisive role in enhancing the preparedness of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
He credited these achievements to sustained efforts under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the impact of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative is now clearly visible on the ground.
Technology Is Changing Fast
Highlighting the rapid pace of technological change, the Defence Minister said that technologies considered cutting-edge today may become obsolete within four or five years. “In such a scenario, it is not enough to remain strong; it is essential to think and act faster than others,” he said.
He urged DRDO scientists to innovate boldly, work with urgency, and not fear taking calculated risks. Failures in research, he noted, should be treated as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.
Reducing Time from Research to Deployment
Rajnath Singh emphasized the need to drastically reduce the time taken from research to prototype, prototype to testing, and testing to induction into the armed forces. He said that timely induction of systems should be the most important benchmark of success.
While DRDO traditionally focuses on design and prototyping and industry handles production, he stressed the need to bridge this gap. He suggested adopting global best practices such as co-development models, where industry partners are involved from the early stages of design and development.
Collaboration with Industry, Startups, and Academia
The Defence Minister called on DRDO to expand its collaboration with the public sector, private industry, MSMEs, startups, and academic institutions. He cited the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas as a prime example of successful collaboration between DRDO and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
He added that government support would yield meaningful results only if DRDO moves away from an exclusive research model towards a collaborative innovation ecosystem.
Record Growth in Defence Exports
Rajnath Singh highlighted the sharp rise in India’s defence exports over the past decade. From less than ₹1,000 crore in 2014, exports have now grown to nearly ₹24,000 crore. The government, he said, has set an ambitious target of ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029–30.
He emphasized that DRDO must keep export potential in mind from the design stage itself, especially in areas such as drones, radars, electronic warfare systems, and ammunition.
Scientists Are DRDO’s Real Strength
Calling scientists, engineers, and technicians the real strength of DRDO, the Defence Minister said they should be given leadership responsibilities, learning opportunities, and confidence that their ideas will be heard. Research failures, he reiterated, are part of progress and should encourage continuous advancement.
Awards and Book Release
On the occasion, DRDO honoured its dedicated scientists and technical experts. The Dr. Bhagwantam Technology Leadership Award 2024 was presented to B.V. Paparao, Director of the Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad, for his contribution to Agni missiles and MIRV technology for long-range hypersonic cruise missiles.
The Dr. Nagchaudhuri Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 was conferred on Dr. Balguru V, former scientist of CVRDE, Chennai, for his role in the development of platforms such as MBT Arjun Mk-1 and the indigenous light tank Zorawar. Additionally, three Best Scientist Excellence Awards and two Best Technical Excellence Awards were also presented.
During the event, a book on the Akash missile system was released. Authored by the missile’s first Project Director Dr. Prahlad Ram Rao and former Project Director Dr. G. Chandramouli, the book traces the journey of the Akash missile from concept to successful deployment, symbolizing India’s growing scientific capability and self-reliance in defence.
