The IGMPD started in 1983 after India failed to reverse engineer a Russian missile in the seventies, with A P J Abdul Kalam as the head. However, 25 years later the DRDO missiles remain off target. The army cannot rely on Prithvi, a battlefield support missile, unless technological issues affecting its launch readiness are resolved. Trishul, the quick reaction anti-aircraft missile, turned out to be a dud and is now being resurrected with the induction of foreign technology as a stopgap arrangement for the air force, till the Spyder missile systems from Israel finally arrives. Meanwhile this delay for the navy meant importing Israel's Barak missile. While Akash, the medium range surface to air missile with 27-km range, had its first user trial in end 2007, Nag, the anti-tank missile with 4-7 km range, is yet to begin user trials.
UPA has been known to be anti-Kalam. Are they trying to get back at him, by taking potshots at DRDO? It is known fact that DRDO had failed to deliver things on time. But, after Kalam came in, we saw more and more tests going successful and then read about induction of various missiles.
I fail to understand why will the defence forces induct DUD missiles? WHO IS FOOLING WHOM? IS THE UPA TRYING TO PLAY SOME DIRTY GAMES, DO THEY REALIZE THE HARM THEY WILL END UP DOING TO ORGANIZATIONS LIKE DRDO?
RE:RE:Is this an article to give bad press to Kalam?
by Debasis Dhar on Jan 16, 2008 06:11 PM Permalink
Problem is with Indian Army. Army Officer from top to bottom all most all of them are involved in some way or other in corrupt practise. Ifa any one of us have knowledge of its organasation like DGS&D, CSD, MES or CDA who are openely involved in all corrupt practise. Same has affected DRDO as procurement of missile from them will not give commission to any officer. But when procurred from outside India, lot of earning for many officer.
RE:Is this an article to give bad press to Kalam?
by Demo-crazy on Jan 16, 2008 11:20 PM Permalink
I disagree with you. There are corrupt elements in any organization. But, that does not make the entire organization corrupt.
There have been inefficiencies in defence research, but the government must take a fair share of the blame for not providing enough support. The DRDO has consistently lost lot of talent to private sector, or overseas markets, since the pay package was peanuts. This is primarily a fault of the government.
If you want premier talent and cutting edge work, then make sure you pay the right price for it. When even BPO jobs earn more than 20K per month, many scientist jobs get less than that (atleast couple of years ago) in DRDO.
CDAC, which did some pioneering work, C-DOT which revolutionized rural telecom, all suffered due to this lack of foresight of our executive class.
In addition, you will always need to empower such organizations with visionary leaders and free them from government clutches. Give them targets to achieve, when the beat the target, give them excellent bonus and perks.
RE:Is this an article to give bad press to Kalam?
by vijai murugan on Jan 16, 2008 05:13 PM Permalink
Dr. Kalam was good in marketing and with the support of government, he was able to sell some hardware to indian armed forces. The government should have scrapped IGMDP long time ago. countries like pakistan started their programme in late 90s and stole technologies from other countries and developed good missiles.
