Bharat Rakshak

I dont see any problem in the LT/BEML issue. LT even if it provided sub-system design and integration need not be the overall system integrator. RM must have taken all aspects of capacity etc etc into account. Even in the US the total weapon system integration is in govt hands. Despite what ever the brochures say.

Dhruva to boost defence research


Hyderabad, March 26: Dhruva, a super computer developed by the DRDO laboratory, Anurag (Advanced Numerical Research and Analysis Group), in the city will make designing of missiles, torpedoes, Light Combat Aircraft and other air warfare faster and easier.

The minister of state for defence, Mr M.M. Pallam Raju, on Wednesday inaugurated ‘Chitra,’ a centre for high performance computing and research, hosting the super computer Dhruva at the DRDO in Kanchanbagh.

Dhruva will be useful in Computational Fluid Dynamics to design any aircraft, or airborne or water borne systems. These computations involve very large amount of data, and need super computers with extremely high computing power and memory.

While inaugurating Chitra, Mr Raju said, ‘‘This is a big step towards self-reliance in the country. The lab should also explore the commercial applications of Dhruva. However, we have a long way to go to match our technologically advanced neighbours like China.’’

The director of Anurag, Dr K.D. Nayak said, ‘‘Chitra, equipped with Dhruva, is one of the fastest high-performance computing facilities in the country. Apart from designing aircraft, it is also useful for simulation of complex systems, molecular modelling and bioinformatics applications.’’ A small team of eight scientists of the Anurag has been working on the project for the past three years and developed Dhruva using indigenous technology.

Dhruva has come in handy for Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, involved in gene sequencing. The Delhi University, involved in gene sequencing of E.Coli bacteria, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) at Bangalore will also now make use of the super computer at Anurag.

The calculations that used to run into days will be completed in hours now. The super computer Dhruva has a speed of six teraflop (tera is trillion and flop is floating point operations per second).

Security of the country not only depends on the soldiers on the war front, but also the defence scientists quietly working in various defence laboratories across the country, developing defence capabilities so crucial for success in the battlefield. As the recent Gulf War demonstrated so vividly, the conventional war has given way to electronic warfare, the mastery over which will give an edge over the enemy.

The Karnataka-born V Narayana Rao, who had a distinguished career as a defence scientist, was among the pioneers who helped in establishing advanced research and development in areas such as cryptography, radars, microwave technology and electronic warfare. He was the founder director of Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, Hyderabad, which he steered for two decades. Rao, now 87, has authored an excellent book giving an insight into the working of DRDO and its achievements. Excerpts from an interview to Ramakrishna Upadhya of Deccan Herald:

You worked in an era of meagre resources and meagre salaries. What motivated scientists like you to work in the defence sector?

I had a great liking for defence research. When I was in the UK, I attended two conferences in which many eminent UK scientists participated. I was enthralled by the papers that were presented. When I came back to India, I decided to get into research, as I strongly felt that we should not be dependent on a foreign country all the time for defence equipment. First, they have to tailor to our requirement and as the technology advances, they build better equipment, but they won’t give it us. They will give what they are prepared to give. That inspired me to do something for my country. As regards salary, I must say I was handsomely paid in those days.

Of late we find that great talent that there in government scientific institutions and laboratories leaving and joining the private sector. What needs to be done to retain them?









The work in defence establishments is very challenging and interesting. People work long hours and they have a sense of doing something for the country. With better pay and perks now being offered, I’m sure more people will stay.

What kind of roles defence research laboratories are playing in keeping India’s defence preparedness at the optimum level?

It has to be seen in two ways. Our defence services employ people who are well qualified. The DRDO which is in its golden jubilee year, has matured in many areas of technology. Before a project is taken up, the scientists have discussions with the armed forces. There is a close interaction between the two. Supposing some equipment have to be bought urgently, scientists are with them to make the right choice. We have always had close interaction between the users and developers of technology. For instance, when we were developing a missile, the Army realised that a lot of changes had taken place and they wanted an integrated missile project to be taken up. What we were developing was discontinued, but the experience gained was useful.

How important is the role of electronic warfare technology in the contemporary wars?

Electronic warfare (EW) is very important even during peace time. We have to have constant surveillance on the kind of equipment the enemy possesses, airborne surveillance, elevated platforms, radar system they are producing... We have to develop counter measures, jamming system, etc. EW helps in constantly looking at the kind of aircraft, weapon system the opponent has and counter measures play a very important role in any war.

The US achieved quick success during its first Gulf War, much of which was credited to its superior technology. But in Iraq, the same US defence juggernaut has apparently got stuck. Does it indicate the limitations of the electronic warfare?

No. it is not the limitations of EW. It is the limitation of the human beings. The American military might could destroy the physical things like radar stations, missile sites, communication equipment, etc. Having done that, there is nothing else to destroy. There are only people. You are up against the people. The Americans thought that once they knock off unwanted people everything will be smooth. They simplified things. They did not know the kind of resistance the people will put up. It has turned into chaos. But no weapon system can deal with it. In the last two years, the Americans have spent as much as they did during World War II, but still they are not out of the woods. How to get out of Iraq without losing face is what bothers them now.

After the Pokhran explosion, the US sanctions did hurt India’s defence and scientific establishment. But it also acted as a motivation for self-reliance. What do you think should be the right balance between importing technology and being self-dependent?

We must try to do as much as we can to the maximum. We should import technology where we are facing a lot of difficulty, but it should be done in an intelligent way so that it supplements our own efforts.

(Rao’s book Reminiscences of a defence scientist: a quest for self-reliance can be procured from Defence scientific Information & Documentation Centre, Metcalfe House, New Delhi-110 054)

However, we have a long way to go to match our technologically advanced neighbours like China.’’
The super computer Dhruva has a speed of six teraflop (tera is trillion and flop is floating point operations per second).

is this a submunition loadout for Prithvi ?

Today in Deccan Herald editorial page I saw a snippet from 28-Mar-1983 talking about India developing a Laser guided missile. Which missile is this? Was it the Nag whose specs were later changed to IIR / MMW guided?

Trenton was/is a perfect example. CAG is responsible to audit the contracts and here they did the exact thing and brought out the DIFFERENCES in the CONTRACT from the LAID DOWN RULES OF THE GOI that are used to write the contracts.

Any idea how long is the chase?

Also highlighting from the MEDIA article

"Even the army has tacitly acknowledged that the Rakshak RFP was flawed. For the next round of purchases of bulletproof vehicles, the army’s Weapons and Equipment Directorate has written to the vendors asking for an upgraded vehicle with more power, a smoother suspension and a better steering.

Confused and unclear RFPs have elicited complaints from several vendors. In last year’s performance audit on defence procurement, the CAG pointed out that RFPs often demand products that existed nowhere. "

Also highlighting from the MEDIA article
"Even the army has tacitly acknowledged that the Rakshak RFP was flawed.

If you give any credence to Wikipedia, India already has the fastest supercomputer in Asia @ 170 Teraflops:
Most powerful publicly known computer systems

Sanku.. Have you ever read that article carefully.. by your words.. it does'nt appear like you did..

Acquiring through RFP and Joint development are two separate contracts quite different from each other..

and BTW.. if army could not predict that their RFP will bring in the underpowered vehicle then it's them who are to blame..

it has questioned the M&M Rakshaks IN THE INDIAN ARMY.. there's a difference if you can see..

and IA Rakshak vehicles came through the RFP.. and CAG's contention is with the RFP not with the vehicle if you read the details.

Hmm.. so now IA gives a twist to the whole process by saying that's it's just the suggestion when even to the outside people it's a known fact that Rakshak was a grossly underpowered vehicle in it's original form..

and btw.. M&M was already working on the higher powered version of the Rakshak because it could foresee the problems but had to provide to IA the underpowered versions because of the RFP requirements..

IA Rakshaks provided are armored by Plasan Sasa plates.. which are quite heavy.. as a result they have moved to sourcing from Israel, Germany and Sweden now..

There are n number of possibilities.. "
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The DRDO, called DODO in jest, is a behemoth with 50 labs, 5,000 scientists and 25,000 employees. Success stories have been few and far between despite having 440 projects under its belt. Though it has produced duds after duds, it manoeuvred to thrust them down the throats of the armed fForces through political pressure.

The DRDO, predictably, waffled first and then tried to brazen it out by claiming Agni III was a partial success! Mind you, Agni is an official carrier of the Indian nuke. What's partial success? The missile with nuclear payload can nosedive, midcourse, into its home territory itself? This example testifies what's wrong with the DRDO and what's right with ISRO.

Frankly, the article seemed to me to be a plug sponsored by L&T.