DRDO, HAL & Defence Orgs — Set 12

Correct Answer: C. Rs 1.75 lakh crore by 2025

India's target is to achieve Rs 1,75,000 crore (Rs 1.75 lakh crore, approximately US$ 25 billion) in annual defence manufacturing turnover by FY 2024-25, up from about Rs 94,000 crore in 2023-24. This target encompasses both domestic supply and exports (target: Rs 35,000 crore in exports). The Defence Industrial Corridors in UP and Tamil Nadu, DAP 2020 reforms, PILs, and iDEX ecosystem are all aimed at achieving this target. India is rapidly expanding its defence manufacturing base through PSUs, private sector, and MSMEs.

Correct Answer: B. Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile

Astra is India's first indigenously developed BVR (Beyond Visual Range) air-to-air missile (AAM). Astra Mk1 has a range of 80-110 km and uses an active radar seeker in terminal phase. Astra Mk2 with 160+ km range is under development. Astra is powered by a dual-pulse solid rocket motor. It is manufactured by BDL (Bharat Dynamics Limited). Astra is integrated on Tejas Mk1A and Su-30 MKI fighters. Integration on Rafale, MiG-29K, and MiG-21 Bison is also being pursued. Astra represents India's capability in advanced guided air-to-air weapons technology.

Correct Answer: B. 2007

HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) was granted Navratna status in 2007 by the Government of India. Navratna status allows PSUs greater autonomy in financial and operational decisions — HAL can now make investment decisions up to Rs 1,000 crore without government approval, form joint ventures, and carry out overseas investments independently. HAL had its IPO in 2018, raising Rs 4,229 crore and listing on the stock exchange. HAL's Navratna status, combined with its listed company status, has improved governance and financial discipline while maintaining its defence manufacturing focus.

Correct Answer: B. Airborne early warning (AEW) systems and avionics

CABS (Centre for Airborne Systems) at Bangalore is a DRDO lab responsible for developing airborne electronic systems including Airborne Early Warning (AEW) systems, avionics, mission computers, and data links. CABS led the development of Netra AEW&CS (Airborne Early Warning and Control System) currently in IAF service. CABS also works on airborne EW systems, radar and avionics for Tejas, and the multi-mode radar. CABS collaborates extensively with BEL for productionising its developments. CABS is at the forefront of India's efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in complex airborne sensor systems.

Correct Answer: C. 0.1% of GDP

India's DRDO budget is approximately Rs 23,855 crore in 2024-25, which represents about 0.1% of India's GDP (approximately $3.5-3.7 trillion). As a percentage of the defence budget, DRDO gets about 6%. Developed nations like USA (DARPA and other defence R&D) spend 3-5% of defence budget on R&D. India's low DRDO-GDP ratio is a concern as it limits India's ability to develop advanced defence technologies indigenously. Successive governments have emphasised increasing R&D spending, but progress has been incremental. The DAP 2020 has provisions to involve private sector in R&D to augment DRDO.

Correct Answer: C. Department of Defence R&D (DRDO)

ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) was established in 1984 and reports to the Department of Defence R&D under the Ministry of Defence — i.e., under DRDO. ADA is the apex body for managing India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programmes. ADA coordinates over 100+ public and private sector organisations and DRDO labs working on these aircraft. While ADA designs the aircraft, HAL manufactures it. This ADA-HAL partnership model has been validated by Tejas and is being replicated for AMCA.

Correct Answer: B. Armenia

India signed a deal to export the Akash surface-to-air missile system to Armenia, making it one of India's first major missile export deals. The contract for Akash missiles and related equipment was signed in 2023. Armenia, which has faced conflicts with Azerbaijan, expressed interest in Akash after seeing its effectiveness in air defence. India has also been in talks with the Philippines, Vietnam, and other countries for Akash exports. The Akash export deal demonstrates DRDO's success in creating internationally competitive missile systems.

Correct Answer: B. Private sector involvement is allowed under Make-I, Make-II categories and iDEX

India's defence R&D increasingly involves the private sector through: Make-I (government-funded development with industry participation), Make-II (industry-funded development with assured procurement), iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence for startups), Technology Development Fund (TDF) for SMEs, and ToT (Transfer of Technology) from DRDO to private manufacturers. DAP 2020 has significantly opened defence R&D to the private sector including major companies (L&T, Tata, Mahindra, Bharat Forge) and startups. This dual public-private R&D model aims to leverage the agility of private sector while retaining strategic control.

Correct Answer: C. Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL)

Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) is the DPSU (one of 7 carved from OFB in October 2021) responsible for manufacturing armoured vehicles including T-72 Ajeya tanks, BMP-II Sarath infantry fighting vehicles, and Arjun MBT components. AVNL's primary production facility is at Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF) Avadi, near Chennai. AVNL manufactures and delivers about 200+ T-72 upgrades annually. AVNL also makes artillery tractors and armoured ambulances. It is developing the next-generation FICV (Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle) alongside DRDO's CVRDE.

Correct Answer: D. RCI (Research Centre Imarat)

RCI (Research Centre Imarat), located in Hyderabad, is DRDO's premier laboratory focused on missile systems and technology — including guidance systems, navigation (INS, GPS), aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and control electronics for missiles like Agni, Prithvi, Astra, and QRSAM. While DRDL also works on missiles, RCI specialises in missile electronics, computer systems, and guidance & control. DMRL focuses on materials. Together, DRDL, RCI, and DLRL at Hyderabad form a powerful cluster for missile and electronics development, supported by HEMRL and ARDE at Pune for propellants and armaments.