Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) has planned an educational experience of domestic defense technologies and systems during the 14th Aero India, which will be held in Bengaluru between February 13–17, 2023. This is part of DRDO’s effort to integrate various stakeholders of the country’s defense R&D ecosystem. The DRDO will showcase a variety of items and technology that were created domestically. Along with showcasing its key products at the India Pavilion, it will host a wide range of exhibits, flight demonstrations, and seminars. Products related to aeronautical systems, missiles, armour, electronics, micro electronics, computational systems, soldier support technologies, life sciences, naval, and material science will be displayed, among other things. The exhibit will highlight the most recent developments made by DRDO in support of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision.
More than 330 products will be on display at the DRDO Pavilion, which is divided into 12 categories: combat aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missiles and strategic systems, engines and propulsion systems, airborne surveillance systems, sensors, electronic warfare and communication systems, parachute and drop systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cyber systems, materials, land systems and munitions, life support services, and industry and academic outreach.
The flagship products in each of 12 Zones are: AMCA, LCA Tejas Mk2, TEDBF, ARCHER, TAPAS UAV, Abhyas, Autonomous Stealth Wing Flying Test Bed from the Combat Aircraft & UAVs Zone; Akash, Astra, QRSAM, Helina, Nag, Pralay from the Missiles & Strategic Systems Zone; FACECU, Gearbox module, Kaveri Dry Engine Prototype, Small Turbo Fan Engine from the Engine & Propulsion Zone; AEW&C-NETRA, AEW&C- MkII, MMMA Aircraft, IFF, AAAU Model from the Airborne Surveillance Systems Zone; TWIR, BFSR-SR, Bharani, Ashlesha, AATRU, ASPJ Pod, LEOP from the Sensors Electronic Warfare & Communications Systems Zone; Military Combat Parachute System, Brake Parachute, P-16 Heavy Drop System from the Parachute & Drop Systems Zone; Airborne Sonar with Helicopter Model, Air launched Directional Sonobuoy from the Naval Systems Zone; DDCA, INDIGIS, Air Warfare Simulation System, QRNG from Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning & Cyber Systems Zone; FSAPDS, Titanium Alloys from the Materials zone; ASREM, Surveillance ROV, SUMITRA from Land Systems & Munitions Zone; Integrated Life Support System, Helicopter Oxygen System from the Life Support Services Zone and Wankel Rotary Engine, Jet Fuel Starter, Radio Altimeter from the Industry & Academia Outreach Zone. The India Pavilion will exhibit five DRDO products. The exhibits are AEWC&C Mk-II, AMCA, LCA Tejas Mk2, TEDBF and Archer (Image intelligence with Weapon Payloads).
The LCA Tejas, LCA Tejas PV6, NETRA AEW&C, and TAPAS UAV flying displays will serve as a reminder of the DRDO’s participation in the mega exhibition. The LCA Tejas NP1/NP5 and NETRA AEW&C are also featured on the static display. Additionally, the flying debut of the domestic Medium Altitude Long Endurance class UAV TAPAS-BH (Tactical Aerial Platform for Advanced Surveillance – Beyond Horizon) will mark the participation.
On business days, TAPAS-BH will demonstrate its capabilities by covering both static and aerial displays, and the aerial footage will be live streamed throughout the arena. The DRDO’s response to the tri-service ISTAR requirements is TAPAS. The UAV has a range of more than 18 hours and can operate at altitudes of up to 28000 feet.
During the event, the DRDO is also hosting two seminars. On February 12, CABS, DRDO and the Aeronautical Society of India will co-host the 14th Biennial Edition of the Aero India International Seminar with the theme “Aerospace and Defence Technologies – Way Forward.” This seminar is a premier event that serves as a lead-in to Aero India.
There will be numerous distinguished keynote speakers from the DRDO, Indian Air Force, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, international organisations, and top academic institutions who will share their perspectives on cutting-edge technology and advancements in aerospace and defence. During the event, the DRDO will also honour the Indian Women Professionals in Aviation and Aerospace (IWPA).
The Aeronautics Research and Development Board (AR&DB) of the DRDO is hosting the second seminar on February 14. Rajnath Singh, the Raksha Mantri, will perform the official opening. The guest of honour will be Shri Ajay Bhatt, Raksha Rajya Mantri. The seminar’s focus is “Indigenous Development of “Futuristic Aerospace Technologies,” Including the Future of Indigenous Aero Engine Development. Members of academia, the Indian private sector, start-ups, PSUs, and the DRDO are among the notable attendees will participate in this seminar.
On February 14, a variety of events will take place throughout the seminar. The Vice Chief of Naval Staff will receive the MiG-29K health usage and monitoring system that was built with the help of the Technology Development Fund (TDF). Other activities include delivering the CEMILAC Certificate for the CVRDE-developed Aircraft Bearings to the AMAGB of Tejas, launching the System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating web portal (www.samar.gov.in), and publishing the DRDO Export Compendium, DRDO Monograph on “Non Destructive Evaluation of Solid Rockets and Missile Systems,” PUSHPAK2022 magazine, and DRDO Export Compendium. During the conference, the DRDO will also distribute 16 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) for 11 technologies that it has produced.
The DRDO’s involvement in Aero India 2023 is a fantastic chance for the Indian aerospace community to further the cause of domestic military system and technology development in the spirit of independence and patriotism. It will serve as a forum for collaboration and create new chances to increase the export of domestic defence products. To explain and display the systems and exhibitions, various interactions with the scientists are anticipated.
