Pune, 25th February 2024: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) took a significant step towards bolstering collaboration with industries, especially Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups, during the DRDO-Industry Meet held on February 25, 2024, as part of the Maharashtra MSME Defence Expo 2024 in Pune. The meet aimed to apprise and update industries about DRDO’s industry-friendly initiatives and policies, addressing industry concerns.
DRDO, led by Secretary Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman DRDO, Dr. Samir V Kamat, handed over 23 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LATOT) to 22 industries during the event. Covering a spectrum of domains such as electronics, laser technology, armaments, life sciences, materials science, combat vehicles, naval systems, and aeronautics, these technologies are poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the defence manufacturing sector, contributing significantly to India’s self-reliance in defence.
Among the technologies transferred were those related to Carbon/Carbon Aircraft brakes for LCA Tejas, 100 m Infantry Foot Bridge Floating, 40 mm High Explosive Anti-Personnel (HEAP) Grenade for UBGL, Full Trailer of 70t Tank Transporter for MBT Arjun Mk – 1A, Expendable Mobile Shelter Solar Heated Shelter, NMR-Supercapacitor, Weaponisation of Hand-Held Thermal Imager with LRF (WHHTI), and High Pressure Water Mist Fire Suppression System (HP WMFSS).
Nine Industry Partners were honored with SAMAR (System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating) assessment certificates, a benchmarking tool by DRDO, providing an overview during the event.
Dr. Kamat, in his address, reiterated DRDO’s commitment to supporting the development of Indian defence industries in alignment with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Stressing the partnership with industries, he highlighted the opportune moment for Indian industries to leverage the latest initiatives and policies to make the country a hub for defence manufacturing.
An Open house session allowed industries to express their challenges, expectations, and support needs, facilitating the refinement of frameworks for an enhanced ease of doing business.
Industries were briefed on DRDO’s latest policies and procedures, including Transfer of Technologies, Test & Evaluation support, Technological and scientific support, R&D funding to industry under TDF, Free use of DRDO patents by industry, and the SAMAR scheme.
