Vice President Venkiah Naidu visits Abdul Kalam Missile Complex

Hyderabad ;January 25: (HS): The Vice President M. Venkiah Naidu today praised the DRDO Scientist and engineers for taking India very close to self reliance in missile technology with their hard work dedication and perseverance .

He said that attaining self reliance in the defence sector is not only of critical or strategic importance fot eh country but is also essential in terms of national pride.

He was addressing the scientific community after inaugurating two new facilities at Drt. APJ Abdul Kalma Missile complex in Hyderabad today . The Vice President also visited the Exposition of Technologies by Missile Complex Laboratories and remarked that he was happy to see the indigenous products.

He was briefed about the various ongoing projects and technological developments of missile complex laboratories namely Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), and Research Centre Imarat (RCI). He was also showcased a range of indigenously developed missile systems and avionics technologies.

Vice President evinced keen interest in DRDO technologies and various test facilities being used for advanced technology developments. Extending new year wishes to the scientists, Hon’ble Vice President said that year 2021 will open up new horizons, opportunities and also multiple new challenges.

Addressing DRDO fraternity on the occasion, he complimented the scientists for their hard work and dedication even during the nationwide lockdown and stated that the efforts of DRDO have led to the phenomenal technological advancements in the form of series of successful missions such as HSTDV, SMART, ATGM, NGARM, HELINA, NAG, BRAHMOS etc. He mentioned that DRDO is an epitome and torchbearer of Scientific Social Responsibility and is a place of eternal learning. The role played by DRDO during the Covid Pandemic has set an example for others to emulate.

He further said that the development of a range of indigenous defence systems by DRDO has given confidence to government for banning import of 101 items.

Remembering Dr Kalam, the Vice President said that scientific institutions of the country should never work in the incremental mode. He praised the scientists for maintaining the legacy of Dr Kalam and encouraged the scientific community to continuously attempt to leapfrog in scientific endeavors.

He said that Dr Kalam wanted India to become a superpower and mentioned that the scientists have the calibre to make Atmanirbhar Bharat. From Atma Nirbhar Bharat will attain a position where the world will be Bharat Par Nirbhar (dependant on India )he said  He pointed out that, it is important to hold hands of young techno-preneurs, industries, academia, guide them and move together to build a strong and technologically superior country. He stated that we have made commendable achievements in missiles, and hoped that by doing so we may become top exporter in the field of missiles.

He also inaugurated a new missile technology exposition and seminar hall in the same campus. The exposition will display missile technologies and weapon systems and the centre will be the backbone for outreach activities. This hall is a part of knowledge management initiatives taken up by the Missile Complex to provide an interactive platform for continuous learning and fostering technical excellence among the missile community. It will be a hub for organizing scientific expositions, structured training programmes on virtual platforms and technical lectures for the benefit of DRDO community.

He praised the scientists for working hard to meet important milestones of the missile development programmes despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic and mentioned several commendable achievements such as the successful trials of QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile), MRSAM (Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile) SAAW (Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon), SMART (Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo) and MPATGM (Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile).

Chairman DRDO, Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Director General (Missile & Strategic Systems), Shri MSR Prasad, scientists of DRDO were among those who were present.