Lt Gen Reen Urges Defence Sector to Focus on Indigenisation
VINOD BHAT
CHENNAI, July 24: In a significant event, the Rajam Hall at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) buzzed with activity as experts and leaders from the defence and aerospace sectors gathered for the National Symposium on Drones/UAVs for Defence.
The symposium, a joint effort by the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), Ministry of Defence, and the Centre for Aerospace Research, MIT, marked a significant step towards enhancing India’s capabilities in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The symposium was inaugurated by Lt Gen RS Reen, DG, DGQA, who addressed the audience via video conference. Lt Gen Reen emphasized the critical need for indigenisation in the defence sector, highlighting the lessons learned from recent conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, where drones have played a pivotal role.
“The technology for drones is readily available, making it essential for us to leverage our talent pool from institutions like IIT Madras and MIT to harness this critical technology,” he stated. He stressed that India can no longer rely on imported components and must strive to become a leading producer of defence technology.
Lt Gen Reen’s speech underscored the primary objective of the symposium: to bring together industry leaders, academia, users, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and DGQA to collaborate on advancing drone technology within the country. “This symposium is a noble initiative for creating awareness on various aspects of indigenisation of design, development, and production of UAVs and drones,” he added.
The event saw the presence of several distinguished guests, including Dr. Satish Reddy, President of the Aeronautical Society of India and former Chairman of DRDO, who delivered the presidential address. Dr. Reddy elaborated on the vast opportunities in the defence industry, covering the entire spectrum of drone technology and its future potential. His address served as a motivational discourse for industry stakeholders, encouraging them to innovate and invest in indigenous capabilities.
Among the notable speakers was Padmashri Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, former Director of the Chandrayaan mission at ISRO. Dr. Annadurai shared ISRO’s journey from its humble beginnings to its current success, emphasizing the importance of indigenising critical components. His reflections on ISRO’s challenges and triumphs resonated with the audience, highlighting the parallels with the current push for self-reliance in drone technology.
Lt Gen KS Brar, GOC, Dakshin Bharat Area, addressed the evolving role of drones in modern warfare. He highlighted the strategic advantages of integrating artificial intelligence with drone technology, envisioning its transformative impact on future battle scenarios.
The symposium was officially inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Ravichandran, Dean of MIT, with a keynote address delivered by Dr. K Senthil Kumar, Director of the Centre for Aerospace Research. Their insights set the stage for a series of technical sessions and discussions.
Dr. Sathya Chakravarthy, Professor at IIT Madras, provided an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of drone technology, emphasizing the opportunities within the defence sector
