New Delhi. With a view to enhancing the technical expertise of its personnel, the Army has asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to take more of its personnel on deputation and give specific roles to them as it focuses on indigenous weapons and cutting down on imports.

The Army currently sends its personnel on deputation to help the DRDO with projects specified for the force, as does the Navy.

“We currently have some small deployment to the DRDO, but we want them to take in a higher number of personnel. Also, these personnel should be given access to the actual labs where research and design work is being carried out,” a senior Army officer said.

The officer said the deputed personnel are often not given the access needed to ensure that the Army and the DRDO are on the same page.