INDIAN SCIENTISTS TO CHART NEW DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- India plans to roll out a new defence technology
roadmap for the next two decades, by focusing on a new wave of technology-based
weaponry systems, ranging from laser weapons to network-centric warfare systems.

Experts in India's premiere agency, the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (Drdo), would chalk out a new "strategic defence" and a
"self-reliance" programme for the country's future.

"Critical priorities are those technologies such as laser weapons that will make
way to traditional weapons.

"We will also focus on new emerging technologies, like nano-technology and the
network enable system that needs robust communication network to transfer
information.

"New technologies are needed for low intensity conflict and we have to pursue
these technologies and create a new roadmap for the next 20 to 30 years," Dr V.
K. Saraswat, Drdo chief and Defence Ministry scientific advisor told the media
Saturday.

India, which spends nearly US$32 billion for its defence budget annually, making
it the world's top 10 military spenders, is continuously modernising its defence
capabilities, largely propelled by its homegrown technologies.

In Drdo's 50 laboratories, spread across the country, about 5,000 Indian
military scientists are busy developing an array of defence-related
technologies, ranging from indigenous submarines, missile technologies, unmanned
aerial vehicles to bombs made of chillies to combat rioters and terrorists.

At the 34th Drdo Director's Conference next week, India's top scientists will
congregate in Delhi to chart a new research and technology development roadmap
for the country, which often suffers at the hands of terrorists.
-- BERNAMA