After India's premier military equipment developer Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) hit historic highs in 2023, its Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat has urged the country's defence scientists to focus on developing advanced and critical technologies for the nation's armed forces.
"DRDO laboratories should focus on development of complex, first-of-its-kind systems and development of advanced and critical technologies, which will enable the country to become AtmaNirbhar and a leader in Defence Technology," Kamat was quoted as saying in a media release by India's Ministry of Defence (MoD).
For instance, the chief pointed out that the Indian Navy test-fired the locally designed and developed "Heavy Weight Torpedo (HWT) Varunastra" in June 2023.
According to him, a live warhead destroyed the undersea target during the test, which he asserted was the first such demonstration, possibly in the world.
After remaining in the doldrums for decades, DRDO-developed military equipment has been gaining prominence in recent years.
Recently, countries like the Philippines, Egypt, and Brazil showed interest in acquiring the Akash missile, which is a DRDO-developed product.
Earlier reports suggested that Armenia has acquired the surface-to-air (SAM) missile system and Pinaka rockets from India.