USA have signed the Indo-US Nuclear Agreement of 2005-2008, and other Western countries are also cooperating

with
DRDO and ISRO.
To know more about India’s Nuclear Test and India’s Nuclear Doctrine, refer to Article 2.1, “25 Years To Pokhran Nuclear
Tests” in May 2023 Current Affairs Magazine

4.2. TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION IN DEFENCE

Why in the news?
The Indian Army is observing the year 2024 as the year of Technology Absorption.
What is meant by technology absorption?
• It means acquisition, adaptation and integration of technologies into existing structures (also known as legacy
systems).
• In present times, technology adoption is synonymous with integration of disruptive technologies such as artificial
intelligence, hypersonic weapons, biotechnology, quantum technology etc.

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Need of Technology
Absorption in Defence for
India
• Emergence of hybrid
warfare: It is leading to
the emergence of new
threats such as:- (see
infographics)
• Maintenance of military
superiority and strategic
competition: The world
powers
(e.g USA and China) are
increasingly integrating
disruptive technologies in
their military.
• Maintenance of Regional
Security: Strong
technological capability is
essential to maintaining
and asserting India’s
status as a ‘Net Security
Provider’ and securing its
legitimate security
interests in the region.
• Enhance operational
efficiency of defence forces: Various technologies can also help free up human soldiers for more strategic tasks.
• Achieve targets of Defence production and export: Indigenous innovation and technologies are key to enhancing
defence exports.
o The government of India expects to generate annual defence production worth Rs 3 lakh crore and exports worth
Rs 50,000 crore by 2028-29.
• Emergence of new digital technologies: New applications like micro-electronics, precision attack systems, Loiter
Munitions etc. are challenging traditional ecosystems.
Challenges related to technology adoption in defence
• Low expenditure on defence R&D budget: According to the Parliamentary standing committee on defence report
(2023-24) actual expenditure on defence R&D in 2021-22 amounted to ₹ 18,669.66 crore against Budget Estimate
allocation of ₹ 20,757.44 crore.
o Moreover, Committee also highlighted that the private Defence industry is also in a nascent stage and lacks the
capability of spending pend huge sum on R&D.
• Strain on defence budgets: Due to High Initial Cost in procurement and development of cutting edge technology.
• Import dependency: India has been largely dependent on foreign technology for advanced weapons.
• Complexities involved in integration of new technologies: New defense equipment are difficult to integrate in
existing defense strategies due to issues like their obsolescence and long service lives of equipment, and compatibility
issues.
• Administrative issues: Such as need of organisational restructuring, human resources management, civil-military
fusion etc.
• Cyber Security vulnerability: Inadequate domestic manufacturing capabilities for cyber and communication
equipment resulting in over-reliance on import of communication equipment.
o This can result in security threats due to concerns like 'backdoor setup' in operating systems, communication
hardwares, etc.
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 Measures taken by India for tech-Absorption
• Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme: Launched in 2024 to promote innovations in critical
and strategic defence technologies.
• 2022 Amendment to Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020: Mandates all modernisation requirements of the Defence
Services and Indian Coast Guard are to be indigenously sourced irrespective of the nature of procurement.
• Technology focused Organisational framework: Achieved by synchronising the efforts of Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) and other institutions such as Army Design Bureau (ADB)
and the Naval Indigenisation and Innovation Organisation (NIIO).
• Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG): Established as an elite unit by Indian Army for researching
futuristic technologies like 6G, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing etc.
• Mission Shakti [Anti-Satellite Missile Test (A-SAT)]: Developed by DRDO has demonstrated India’s capability to defend its
assets in outer space in a ‘Hit to Kill’ mode.
• Indian Naval Indigenisation Plan (2015-2030): Identifies domains and technologies to accomplish self-reliance in cutting-edge
defence technologies.
o It signs agreements under ‘SPRINT initiative to boost usage of indigenous technology
• BOLD-QIT (Border Electronically Dominated QRT Interception Technique) under CIBMS (Comprehensive Integrated Border
Management system): It includes technologies such as cameras, sensors for day-and-night surveillance and intrusion
detection
• Project Akashteer: It is an automated air defence control and reporting system inducted by the Indian Army.
o It has been developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as part of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.
Way Forward
• Implementation of Recommendations of Prof K Vijay Raghavan Committee:
o Creation of "Department of Defence Science, Technology, and Innovation" headed by a technocrat, to promote
defence research and development in the academic and start-up ecosystem.
o Establishment of "Defence Technology Council" chaired by Prime Minister along with Defence Minister and
National Security Advisor as its vice-presidents to determine the country’s defence technology roadmap
o Setting up national-level laboratory facilities instead of DRDO labs.
• Streamlining Regulatory and Procurement Processes by simplifying documentation requirements and reducing
processing times.
• Prioritizing technology over cost to encourage the selection of advanced and niche technologies.
• Promoting private sector participation in manufacturing of defence equipment by simplifying the licensing and
regulatory procedures, creating a level playing field, and providing access to technology
• Creation of specialist officers and specialised cadres such as cyber experts by providing specific training and education
through civil-military infusion.
Conclusion
As nations undergo military modernisation, driven by larger geopolitical shifts, advanced technologies are becoming
pivotal in warfare. The future battlespace will be shaped by technology, and technological superiority is expected to
determine the outcome of future battles to a large extent. Thus, it becomes essential to focus on technological self-
reliance.
To know more about the Weaponization of Space, refer to Article 4.3 of the April 2024 Monthly Current Affairs Magazine.

4.3. SUBMARINES AND ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE

Why in the news?
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of Supersonic Missile-Assisted
Release of Torpedo (SMART) system.
SMART System
• SMART is a next-generation missile-based light-weight torpedo delivery system to enhance the Anti-Submarine
Warfare (ASW) capability of the Indian Navy.
• It has been designed and developed by DRDO.
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