CHENNAI: Scientist and Director General (Electronics & Communication Systems) at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), BK Das, indicated that the proposed Bengaluru-Hosur industrial corridor could support future production and research for the Netra airborne early warning programme.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the CII TN DEF X Conclave, BK Das. “With Bengaluru and Hosur together, an industrial corridor can certainly emerge,” he said. When asked whether this would include the Netra programme, he replied, “Yes... could be.”
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) Chairman D Karthikeyan, who was also present at the event, told TNIE talks are going on for the CABS facility in Hosur after the Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay came up with the proposal.
The DRDO chief said the organisation had recently achieved Final Operational Clearance (FOC) for the Netra airborne early warning and control system, which has since been inducted into service and operationally deployed.
“The next versions are coming with more capability, more power and advanced technologies. Numbers will increase, but more importantly the technology will move to the next level,” he said, describing Netra as India’s “dependable surveillance eye in the sky”.
On the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, Das declined to discuss the decision to locate key facilities outside Tamil Nadu, saying such decisions were taken at the highest level based on operational and geographical considerations.
Das also confirmed DRDO has drawn up a roadmap for future space programmes that could align with Isro’s second launch complex at Kulasekharapatnam. “I can’t explain the details now, but as time comes you will see a lot of big programmes. They will probably be aligned to those kinds of missions,” he said.
V Vinayagam, senior vice president, Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor, told TNIE TIDCO is acquiring land for the proposed space industrial park and Propellant Park in Thoothukudi. Das said that DRDO was finalising a more industry-friendly procurement framework aimed at encouraging greater participation by MSMEs, startups and long-gestation manufacturing industries.