An evening with Dr. G. Sateesh Reddy
On Friday, April 28, we had a very insightful session by Dr G Sateesh Reddy, Scientific Advisor to the Raksha Mantri. Dr Reddy spoke about advancing the defence ecosystem in India.
About Dr. G Satheesh Reddy
Dr G Satheesh Reddy is an acclaimed Defence Scientist of international repute. In his career, from a system designer to Chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, he has contributed in various ways to the indigenous development of various advanced defence technologies.
In his role as Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Dr Reddy has spearheaded the development of advanced defense systems and technologies: major programs on missiles and strategic systems, fighter aircrafts and unmanned aerial defense systems, underwater systems, radar systems, strategic materials, armaments, and other futuristic technologies. India's maiden successful test of Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile 'Mission Shakti' was successfully executed under his watch.
Dr Reddy has helped foster an eco-system that encourages free thinking and creativity. He has pioneered the formulation of policies and initiatives to enable the participation of start-ups/MSMEs and academia in 'first-of-kind' technology development and fast tracking the transfer of technologies to Industry.
Dr Reddy worked tirelessly during the pandemic. Under his guidance, nearly 50 technologies for combating the virus have been developed and about 75 products have been transferred to 100 industries. His non-stop work during the pandemic bears testimony to the outstanding humanitarian facet of a scientist.
Dr Reddy's scientific and technological contributions have been acknowledged by leading international institutes in the form of honors and awards. He is the first Indian in over 100 years to be conferred with the prestigious Honorary Fellowship and Silver Medal by the Royal Aeronautical Society, London. This award was for his contributions towards indigenous design, development and deployment of diversified missile systems, aerospace vehicles, guided weapons, and avionics technologies in India.
Dr Reddy has received numerous other awards including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Missile Systems Award. He is the first scientist outside USA to be awarded in nearly four decades. Other awards conferred on Dr Reddy include the National Systems Gold Medal, National Design Award, IEl-IEEE (USA) Award for Engineering Excellence and the Homi J Bhabha Gold Medal.
Introduction
There has been a major shift in the development of defence technologies in India. Three decades back, most of the technologies we have in the country today did not exist. Essentially, we used to operate in BTP (Build to Print) mode. Few professors were doing research in the areas that mattered. But we have come a long way since then. Today, we have evolved into an advanced defence technology hub.
A large part of the credit goes to the late Dr Abdul Kalam. Around 1983-84, under his leadership, India started many strategic initiatives: Integrated Missile program, Arjun, Main Battle Tank, Light Combat Aircraft, etc. These initiatives started producing results over time. In the 1990s, we were encouraged by the success of Prithvi, Agni, Akash and Arjun and LCA.
Dr Reddy also highlighted Dr Kalam’s advice to him: “Write down what you like to be remembered for”. This happened when Dr Reddy took over as the Director for the Research Center Immarat, a premier laboratory of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex of the DRDO.
Many technologies have been developed since then: communications systems, armoured vehicles, electronic warfare systems, submarines, helicopters, torpedoes, sonars.
It may be recalled that In the WiseViews webinar on Feb 4, 2022, Lt Gen A V Subramanian had explained the pioneering role of DRDO labs in developing the country’s defence capabilities. Besides the traditional capabilities in Aeronautics, Armaments and Naval Systems, the DRDO labs are also entering frontier areas. These include AI, Cognitive technologies, Quantum technologies, Asymmetric technologies, and smart materials in collaboration with institutions like the IITs.
Earlier only a handful of institutions like IISc, Jadavpur University and a couple of IITs were doing research. Today, many academic institutions are doing research related to defence technologies. Consider the Joint Advanced Technology Program (JATP) COE in IISc. This is a collaboration between DRDO and IISc professors. There is an arrangement with Jadavpur University for developing algorithms and various guidance schemes. (A guidance system is a group of devices for controlling the movement of a ship, aircraft, missile, rocket, satellite, or any other moving object. Guidance involves calculating the changes in position, velocity, altitude, and rotation rates of a moving object to maintain a certain trajectory or altitude)
In all, there are some 15 COEs in various academic institutions today. These include IISc, the IITs in Delhi, Kanpur, Bombay, Chennai, Jodhpur and Kharagpur, Hyderabad Central University, Gujarat University, Jammu University. Some 400 academic institutions are doing projects worth Rs 1200 crores.
From build to print, we have moved to full-fledged industries with capabilities for building systems to specification.
The rise of the private sector
The private sector is now playing an important role. Some 1800 Tier one and Tier 2 companies have been set up. There are some 10,000 Tier 3 companies. These companies are supplying many important defence systems. In some cases like Akash Missile, 85% of the components by value come from the private sector. PSUs like Bharat Dynamics Ltd and Bharat Electronics Limited only play the role of integrators.
A lot of encouragement is being given to the private sector in many ways. They are being treated as Development Cum Production Partners. Some 60% of the budget is accounted for by the development contracts given to the private players. As a result, the country has become largely self-reliant in various areas of defence.
Recall in the webinar on Feb 4, 2022, Lt Gen A V Subramanian gave an indicative list of companies involved in India’s defence program:
- TATA Aerospace and Defense
- L&T Aerospace and Defense
- Wipro Aerospace and Defense
- Reliance Naval and Engineering
- Mahindra Aerospace, Mahindra Defense
- Bharat Forge
- Lakshmi Machine Works - Advanced Technology Centre
- MKU
- Adani Defense
- Ashok Leyland
- Alpha Design Technologies
With the growing research and manufacturing capabilities, the country’s defence program has also made rapid strides. The country has become self sufficient in many areas of defence: Air independent propulsion (submarine with no access to atmospheric oxygen), Quantum communication over a range of more than 100 km, Software Defined Radio, Gallium Nitride, Lasers, etc.
The rise of start ups
Another positive development is that talented youngsters from our top institutions are staying back in the country. Quite a few of them have launched their own ventures. Some 90,000 startups are registered with the government. Many of them are working on defence technologies.
Many startups have been funded by the Government using iDEX funds. These funds are used to enable MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes, and academia to carry out R&D in areas with good potential for future adoption.
The Technology Development Funding (TDF) Scheme extends financial support and expertise to upgrade existing products/ systems, processes, and its applications by reducing production costs, improving functionality and quality. The scheme aims at promoting Make in India, and the development of futuristic technologies with defence applications.
Skill development
Many initiatives have been launched in skill development. MTech courses in defence technology have been launched in 40 institutes. Various electives have been introduced at the BTech level. Training and apprenticeship opportunities have also been created for some 10,000 students every year.
Capturing the global market
Our defence exports crossed Rs 16,000 crores this year. Our aspiration is not just to be self-dependent but to make for the world. We want to offer superior technology and high quality but at a lower cost to the world.
Academic research will play an important role in developing first of its kind advanced technologies. Industry must use innovative manufacturing techniques with higher efficiency and greater reliability.
Concerns
Meanwhile, there are some gaps in areas such as aero engines and advanced materials, sensors, and detectors. We must address them effectively with the help of the private sector and academia.
At one point of time, there was a dependence on foreign suppliers. This forced us to develop technology indigenously. It took us 2-3 years, but we rose to the occasion.
Confidence had to be built in the private sector. The private companies had to be persuaded that there was a big market. Many orders were given by the government.
Some effort had to be made to make professors interested in doing research for the defence industry. The government’s expectation is that in the coming years, professors will do in depth research in cutting areas like quantum sensors.
Dr Reddy added that the private sector must develop their own design and development capabilities. They should not take the easy route of forming joint ventures with foreign partners. While the government can give orders to the private sector, the domestic market can only take so much. The private sector must have the drive and ambition to capture the global market. This is a point which Lt Gen A.V Subramanian had also made.
Each country follows its own model. Different governments have their own ways of functioning. So, we must have our own model. Fortunately, we have young talent, estimated at 40% of the global workforce. We can certainly aspire to be a global player.
Already, signs of cultural change are evident. There are some 90,000 start ups in the country. Some 70% of the IIT graduates are staying back to work in the country. Incubation centres have been set up across the country in academic institutions. Earlier, it was a big burden to set up a venture. Now it is much easier. But clearly more funding and mentoring are required to encourage young entrepreneurs further.
Recall that Lt Gen AV Subramanian had mentioned that this is indeed a golden time for the start-ups. They can pitch their ideas to the public sector defence companies and see where they fit into the scheme of things. Mentors can help them to find the right partner. Startups can also leverage the Technology Development Fund run by the DRDO. They can pilot their idea in the defence sector and then leverage the knowledge and roll it out for the civil sector as well.
Employability in the defence industry is improving. It is employing more than 500,000 people. As our defence industry grows and starts exporting in a big way, salary levels will also increase and catch up with the software industry.
They should create good infrastructure and rope in good professors who are interested in research. Many young foreign PhDs want to return to the country. Typically, they join the top institutions like the IITs. But private institutions should also try to attract them.
Schemes have been launched in this regard. DRDO has one called Dare to dream. This competition is held on Dr Kalam’s birthday to promote individuals and startups for innovations in Defence & Aerospace. This is a unique opportunity for start-ups and innovators to solve some key challenges in emerging technologies that can help boost India’s Defence & Aerospace capabilities. The scheme was launched on the fifth death anniversary of renowned scientist and former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam by the Ministry of Defence.
Exhibitions are also being held to showcase the country’s achievements in science and technology. Children are allowed to visit the labs. A lot is being done to give visibility to our scientists. DRDO runs the program: Young scientist laboratories for scientists below the age of 35. But Dr Reddy admitted that much more can be done.
Additive manufacturing is shaping up in a big way. If not the full engine, some parts at least will be produced through additive manufacturing. Aeroengines are critical for the country. 3D printing will have a big role to play.
The engine remains under development but has been dropped as a prospective power plant for the LCA. It is now a technology demonstrator engine for the LCA. The engine is being revived and considered for other applications. Successful tests have been conducted recently.