DRDO Chairman Highlights Success of ₹4.94 Lakh Crores Worth of Inducted Defense Products

Defense News ,India :- In a recent interview, Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), revealed that nearly ₹4.94 lakh crores worth of products developed by DRDO have been successfully inducted into defense operations or have received the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).

Kamat emphasized the accelerated pace of developments, stating that "the rate of product induction has surged significantly, with more than 60 to 70 per cent of the inducted products materializing within the last five to seven years. This trend is expected to continue and witness further growth in the future."

Addressing an upcoming milestone, Kamat mentioned that the initial batch of BrahMos missile systems is anticipated to reach the Philippines by the end of March. He elaborated, saying, "The ground systems are set to be dispatched in the next 10 days, and we aim to send the missiles to the Philippines by March."

This shipment marks a historic moment as the export of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines represents the largest defense contract ever signed by India with a foreign nation. The agreement, valued at USD 375 million and inked in January 2022, involves the supply of the shore-based anti-ship variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system stands out as one of the world's most successful missile programs. Recognized as the globe's premier and fastest precision-guided weapon, BRAHMOS has significantly bolstered India's deterrence capabilities in the 21st century. Developed by the joint venture entity BrahMos Aerospace, a collaboration between India and Russia, the supersonic cruise missile continues to evolve, with the next-generation variant featuring smaller, lighter, and smarter dimensions tailored for deployment across a wider range of modern military platforms.