Advanced technologies playing critical role in strengthening India’s defence infrastructure: Dr Samir V. Kamat

By R Anil Kumar

• According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the military drone market is expected to grow at a robust 10.35% annual rate from 2022 to 2028

• With increasing global security complexities, integrating innovations like AI, drones, 5G, and secure communication systems are essential for enhancing operational effectiveness: DRDO Chief

Bengalur, September 24. India’s modernisation of its defences has accelerated significantly in recent years. Modern technology is now at the centre of the nation’s military transformation as a result of expanding threats and changing problems, says Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO.

Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, recently, Dr. Kamat said, Drones and embedded systems are becoming more and more essential, changing the defence environment by improving its agility, responsiveness, and readiness for the future.

The role of Private Firms are pivotal in this transition, offering vital breakthroughs that are augmenting India’s military proficiencies, he said.

Drones, once considered futuristic, are now a cornerstone of defence strategies worldwide, including in India. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used for everything from surveillance to delivering supplies in hard-to-reach areas.

According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the military drone market is expected to grow at a robust 10.35% annual rate from 2022 to 2028.

The main drivers of this growth are increased border surveillance and logistics support in remote or conflict zones, making drones critical to military operations.

“India’s defence infrastructure is advancing rapidly, and the role of advanced technology in this transformation is more critical than ever.

With increasing global security complexities, integrating innovations like AI, drones, 5G, and secure communication systems are essential for enhancing operational effectiveness.

This focus on cutting-edge, indigenous technology not only strengthens our defence capabilities but also aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, promoting self-reliance and fostering innovation within the country.

Modern defence systems also depend heavily on embedded systems, which combine software and hardware for specialised functions.

These technologies are essential to ensuring that the military can respond quickly and efficiently to any circumstance, whether it be for data processing or real-time communication, the DRDO Chief stated.

The goal of India’s Aatma Nirbhar Bharat programme is for the nation to become defence electronics self-sufficient by 2025.

“Advanced technologies like Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based heterogeneous systems are pivotal in strengthening a nation’s defence infrastructure, Kamat said.

With the ability to handle real-time data acquisition, high-throughput processing, and complex digital signal analysis, these technologies are driving innovation in defence applications such as secure communication, autonomous systems, and missile guidance, he said.

Their flexibility and scalability enable seamless integration into high-performance computing environments, critical for managing modern defence systems that require rapid, reliable decision-making, Dr Kamat added.

Moreover, FPGA/SOC (System-on-Chip), designs facilitate the development of cutting-edge proof-of-concept technologies, accelerating advancements in AI-driven systems and edge computing in battlefield scenarios, he stated.

These innovations not only enhance operational efficiency but also future-proof defence networks by offering adaptable solutions that can upgrade existing systems, ensuring resilience against evolving threats,” Dr Kamat informed.

The Indian government has recognized the importance of technological advancements and has allocated Rs. 6,21,940.85 crore (approx. US $75 Billion), “Defence budget, the highest among the Ministries, part of which is directed towards cutting-edge technologies like AI, robotics, and UAVs which further strengthens Armed Forces & provide impetus to ‘Aatmanibharta’ in defence.”

These investments are not only helping strengthen national security but are also critical to maintaining stability in a region with increasing geopolitical tensions.

Drones and embedded systems are helping India stay ahead in an ever-changing defence landscape. By leveraging these homegrown technologies, companies are playing a vital role in supporting the nation’s defence modernization efforts. With the continued focus on innovation, India’s defence infrastructure is on track to become one of the most advanced in the world.