Manohar Parrikar asks DRDO to have industry partner for projects

NEW DELHI: Batting for more involvement of the private sector in indigenous developmental efforts, defence minister Manohar Parrikar has told India’s premier defence research organisation to ensure a partner from the industry in all projects where ‘sufficient’ orders are expected from the forces. The minister said that government-owned production agencies like Bharat Dynamics and Bharat Electronics need to learn to compete with the private sector and that a joint effort is required to reduce import dependency.

“DRDO is taking only one developmental partner but if the quantity is sufficient, there has to be some private company also selected through proper procedures,” he said at the handing over ceremony of indigenously developed heavy weight torpedo ‘Varunastra’.

He urged Bharat Dynamics, the manufacturer of the torpedo, to ensure the product is of global standard as it also has the potential for exports. Senior officials told ET the Varunastra — designed to be launched from warships — has been discussed during the recent visit of Parrikar to Vietnam.