DEFENCE RESEARCH FORUM 2014

The Defence Research Forum 2014, a daylong conference was organized by Research Engineering Watch on 24th July, 2014 in order to invoke the Engineering Academic Might of India for Global Leadership in the area of Defence Research. The meeting comprising of the Directors/Deans of various renowned Engineering Institutions from across the country like various IITs and NITs who are keen to take up Defence Research as a dominant focus of their academic research. The Forum would be addressed by Hon’ble Director General of DRDO. Dr. Avinash Chandra along with a host of other senior scientists and strategic experts. Dr. Arindam Ghosh, Assistant Professor and Dr. Jaya Shrivastava, Assistant Professor represented Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida in this meeting.

On 24th July, 2014 the conference was inaugurated by paying homage towards the martyrs of the Kargil. Then the organizers delivered the welcome note which explains the main theme of the conference. Dr. Satish Kumar, Distinguished Scientist & CC R&D- Technology Management delivered the theme address for the audience.

Dr. Avinash Chander, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri and Secretary DDR & D delivered his talk on the topic based on the vision, key areas of the defence systems and the areas of challenges where they suffer and the role of the academicians and the engineers to strengthen the security systems of our country. In his speech, he explained the role of DRDO in order to provide the technological solution through indigenous research and development by categorizing them in various stages like TRL 1 to 3, 4 to 6 and 7 to 9 and the role of Academia interface in it.

Dr. U.D Choubey, Director General of SCOPE addressed the audience about the activities of the Indian Defence System and the role of Academia in order to strengthen our Defence System. The lecturer was followed by a high tea.

The next session entitled with Perspective of Government and End Users started with the talk of Air Commodore A.G. Kshirsagar, Indian air force. In his talk he explained his various experience and the avenues for research and development in order to reduce the dependence in various ways form the other countries which may help the economic growth of our country. He showed us the possible ways of using the new technologies like Rubber technology, Nanotechnology to solve various problems. Just like the properties of rubber like air aging, flex fatigue, fluid impression properties which are required to solve various problems of defence. Likewise, Nanotechnology helps the defence to protect the aircraft canopies from damage in form of cuts and nicks. Nano composite coating by physical vapour deposition and sol gel techniques might impart durability and improve the mechanical properties of various utensils like weapons and ships. Finally he introduced the IAF technology board which acts as a medium for exchange the technology related information to create a data bank to strengthen the defence system. This board approve funds for the R & D projects. P.J. Randrachari, Rear Admiral, Indian Navy also shared his experience. In his talk he focused on the materials and its effect in the ecology. He explained various weapon systems like various underwater weapons, submarines etc. He concentrated on high energy weapons and the ways of improving it. He also focused on the rader technology and the fields of its improvement and the role of Academia in it.

Sri Rajan Banerjee, Chief Scientist, CRL, Bharat Electronics ltd, Mr. Mrigendra Kumar, Residence Manager, HAL also focused their talk on the vision and mission of the conference. They talked about various thrust areas of Indian DEFENCE and the role of Academia in order to overcome the barrier faced by the Indian army. In the concluding speech of the session, Dr. Satish Kumar, Distinguised Scientist, CC and R & D Technology assured that, instead of the reputed organizations like various IITs and NITs throughout the country, they will now look after various private colleges and universities to utilize their research expertise to overcome the thrust of the Indian Army.

The last session of the daylong conference consisted of the talk of various DRDO users from various IITs and NITs. Where, they informed us about the research facilities available with them. They also mentioned some remarkable research achievements by their institutes which gave us a clear idea about the mission and vision of this conference.

Finally, the one day conference concluded with the assurance that the DRDO is looking forward towards the private institutions instead of the various reputed organizations like IITs and NITs to come forward to cure Thirst of the Indian Defence.