New Delhi: The defence equipment exported during last five years include Weapon Simulators, Tear Gas Launcher, Torpedo Loading Mechanism, Alarm Monitoring & Control, Night Vision Monocular & Binocular, Light Weight Torpedo & Fire Control Systems, Armoured Protection Vehicle, Weapons Locating Radar, HF Radio, Coastal Surveillance Radar, Parliament was told on March 10.
Export leads and Interest for Indian Defence equipment from small components to major Defence platforms are being received from all over the world including Asian, European, North American, African, Latin American and SAARC countries. Presently Defence items from India are being exported to more than 84 countries. Names of the countries cannot be divulged due to strategic reasons, Minister of State (MoS) for Defence Shripad Naik told Lok Sabha.
The Indian Army has adopted a robust counter infiltration strategy which has an appropriate mix of technology and human resource put together to check infiltration effectively. Innovative troops deployment, proactive use of surveillance and monitoring devices and the Anti Infiltration Obstacle System (AIOS) have enhanced the ability to detect and intercept terrorists attempting to infiltrate/exfiltrate. On the basis of regular analysis of threat assessment and past infiltration attempts, drill and procedures are modified to counter emerging threats, the Minister said.
Among the measures taken include appraisal and upgradation of intelligence gathering capabilities, reorientation of surveillance architecture to enmesh with counter infiltration deployment, augmentation of Anti Infiltration Obstacle System (AIOS) incorporating surveillance assets.
The Indian Army, along with Research & Development agencies, regularly upgrade the design of Anti Infiltration Obstacle System (AIOS) on the fence to incorporate ‘Smart’ components such as Border Surveillance System (BOSS), Laser Fence, Short Range Surveillance Equipment.
The DRDO has carried out 28 successful tests in the last one year. The major weapons and other systems that have been handed over to the armed forces by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are: Astra Beyond Visual Range Missile System, 10 m Short Span Bridging System, Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System (IMSAS), Heavy Weight Torpedo (HWT) Varunastra, Border Surveillance System (BOSS) and Arjun Mk-1A. The development cum Production Partner (DcPP) policy for DRDO developed systems ensures involvement of industries from the beginning of development cycle, thus enabling industries and facilitating hand-holding throughout the development phase.
All systems designed and developed by DRDO are manufactured by the Indian industries which include both public and private sectors entities.
DRDO has many foreign collaborations. DRDO works in futuristic R&D and technology development in collaboration with some Foreign Countries.
In July 2020, the Government sanctioned the scheme of expansion of NCC to Coastal/Border talukas with the strength of one lakh cadets. The scheme is to expand the NCC Cadet base in 172 border Taluks, 92 coastal taluks and 43 major Air Force Stations.
Government is proposing to bring a new scheme for setting up Sainik Schools in the country in partnership with NGOs/Private Schools/States etc. The endeavour is to provide schooling opportunities in “CBSE Plus” type of educational environment by involving desirous Government/Private Schools/NGOs to partner in establishing/aligning their system with Sainik Schools ethos, value system and national pride. It envisages enrolling existing/upcoming schools to be run on the lines of Sainik Schools curriculum. The schools are proposed to be affiliated to Sainik Schools Society. Detailed guidelines and requisite approval are at an advance stage, the Minister said.
