DRDO-made products inducted in defence services worth Rs 1.8 lakh crore: Government

NEW DELHI: The value of systems, products and technologies developed by DRDO and inducted into Services or in the process of induction stands at over Rs 1,80,000 crore, the government said today.

In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the inductions include combat vehicles, missiles, multi-barrel rocket launcher, unmanned aerial vehicles, radars, electronic warfare systems, sonars, torpedos, among others.

He said that the delays in some of the projects occur due to technology denials, challenges, rigorous users trials and production challenges.

In another reply, Parrikar said that the indigenous project of UAVs has not been shelved.

The defence minister added that five 'Nishant' UAVs have crashed in Pokhran and Jaisalmer area of Rajasthan between 18th November 2013 to November 19, 2015.

A product improvement project-Panchi (Wheeled version of Nishant), catering to the Army requirement of conventional take-off and landing has been undertaken. The project is in an advanced stage of development. Panchi could be utilised by Army for their tactical UAV requirements, Parrikar said.