New Delhi. Offering an in-depth insight into the role of technology in National Security Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO on May 10 said India should step out from being a technology follower and should work towards becoming State-of-Art Technology developer in order to emerge as a leader in futuristic defence systems.

Dr Reddy was delivering a lecture on ‘Technology for National Security’ at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). His lecture was a part of the Eminent Persons’ Lecture Series on issues of National Security.

Highlighting the importance of self-sufficiency in defence technology, DRDO Chairman emphasised upon the need for joining hands with the academia in conducting focused research in identified areas. The academia, R&D institutes and the industry should work in close tandem to create an international market for indigenous State-of-Art technologies, he said.

Dr Reddy said DRDO has been working hard on numerous fronts. Be it a diverse range or missiles, or tanks like Arjun Tank or Tejas Light Combat Aircraft or nuclear submarine like Arihant, DRDO is working on all.

Commenting on the changing war and battlefield scenario, Dr Reddy observed that technologies and materials used in defence systems are undergoing a rapid change. The manned systems are becoming unmanned and unmanned systems are giving way to autonomous systems.

The organisation is working on several futuristic technologies, starting with materials. Most of the materials that the country needs for its defence systems and weaponry are being indigenously produced, Dr Reddy said.

Director General IDSA Amb Sujan R Chinoy speaking on the occasion lauded the contributions of DRDO and said that the organisation has enabled India to emerge as a technology developer instead of being a technology follower.