By Anantha Krishnan M. | Aviation Week
Bangalore, India | May 26, 2010
Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Chief Dr. VK Saraswat said May 26 that “self-reliance in critical defense technologies cannot be achieved by DRDO alone unless the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) overcome the temptation to induct [the] latest weaponry from abroad.” Speaking anonymously, a cross section of senior service officials told AVIATION WEEK that the DRDO chief was running away from responsibility. “The DRDO chief is taking the easy route out by saying that [the] services must stop looking elsewhere for weapons and different operational platforms. What will you do if the well at your house drains up completely? You buy water from outside, because it’s important for your survival. You can’t be waiting and waiting for ages. The situation is [the] same here. DRDO scientists are very emotional with various programs and they don’t have any cost and time sense. There’s no place for emotions when you are out facing the enemy. To win, you need quality products,” a source said.
