DRDO celebrates its 64th foundation day today

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is celebrating its 64th foundation day today. It was on this day in 1958 when DRDO was formed to make India strong and self-reliant in terms of science and technology and especially in military technologies.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today wished to all Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO scientists and personnel on their 64th Raising Day. In a tweet, Mr Singh said, they are working tirelessly towards strengthening India's defence capabilities and making the country self-reliant in defence sector. He hoped that the DRDO scientists and personnel will keep serving the nation with the same zeal.

In the span of 63 years the organization has transformed the landscape of defence research and development in the country. Talking exclusively to All India Radio, the Chairman of DRDO Dr G. Satheesh Reddy said that the last year was the year of major breakthroughs and accomplishments even under the difficult situation posed due to COVID 19.

Talking about the role of DRDO in the fight against the COVID 19 pandemic, the DRDO Chief highlighted the front line tasks performed by his organisation in the fight against the disease. He said that over 850 oxygen plants have been set by DRDO with the help from PM CARES Fund and many COVID centric hospitals have been set up across the country, besides developing a medicine named 2DG.

Dr G Satheesh Reddy said the synergy with the defence industry in the country in terms of development and production has reached to new heights with over 175 transfers of technologies happened in last one year in 2021.

On the issue of development of indigenous hypersonic cruise missile which was recently called upon by the Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh in a recent seminar of DRDO, the chairman said that his organisation is working rigorously to achieve hypersonic systems and also working on the fifth-generation advanced combat aircraft.

The DRDO Chairman informed that the organization has initiated significant steps in popularizing defence studies among students in the country.

Talking about Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's clarion call to make India Self Reliant or Aatm Nirbhar, the DRDO Chairman reiterated the commitment of his organisation to make the country world leader and net exporter in the field of defence research and production in coming years.