In a significant push for indigenous defence capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conducted a visit to the Defence Materials and Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE) in Kanpur on Sunday evening. The DMSRDE is a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Overview of Indigenous Defence Innovations
During his visit, the minister received a comprehensive overview of the cutting-edge research and material innovations being undertaken at the facility. The director of DMSRDE provided a detailed briefing on the laboratory's strategic vision and its portfolio of ongoing projects.
A wide array of materials, technologies, and finished products developed in-house were demonstrated for the minister. This included a special focus on advanced personal protection systems designed for the armed forces.
Commending Aatmanirbhar Bharat Success Stories
Rajnath Singh expressed his deep appreciation for the laboratory's pivotal role in successfully developing and realizing critical defence products. He specifically commended the team for several flagship innovations.
These included the indigenously developed Bullet Proof Jacket (Level-6), Naphthyl Fuel for the BrahMos Missile, and a High-Pressure Polymeric Membrane for Indian Coast Guard ships. Other notable achievements highlighted were the development of Silicon Carbide Fibre, an Activated Carbon Fabric-based CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) suit, and various stealth products.
The minister emphasized that all technological developments must be closely aligned with the practical requirements of the end-users—the soldiers on the front lines.
Boosting Exports and Industry Synergy
Singh also lauded the DMSRDE for executing a large number of transfers of technologies (ToT) over the past two years, a direct contribution to the government's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) vision.
He called for a proactive approach to explore the export potential of these indigenously developed defence products and technologies. To further strengthen the domestic defence ecosystem, he suggested that interactions with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other industries at the DRDO Technology Transfer Centre (DTTC) in Lucknow should be enhanced.
The minister commended the laboratory's growing synergy with both industry and academia, stating that such partnerships are crucial for realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by the year 2047.
Earlier upon his arrival, Rajnath Singh paid floral tributes at the statue of former President and Bharat Ratna awardee, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, located on the premises. He was received by Samir V Kamat, the Secretary of the Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman of DRDO.
