×

UPSC Courses

DNA banner

DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

  • 21 December, 2020

  • 5 Min Read

New Defence System-DRDO- Indigenous technology

New Defence System-DRDO- Indigenous technology

GS-Paper-3 Defence system- Indigenous technology (PT-Mains)

Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation-DRDO are responsible for indigenously developed systems which will lead to higher self-reliance in defence technologies. Recently, the Defence Minister has handed over the Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System, ASTRA Mk-I and Border Surveillance System.

Defence Minister has handed over the Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System (IMSAS), ASTRA Mk-I and Border Surveillance System (BOSS) to the Navy, Air Force and Army respectively. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratories have indigenously developed these three systems which will lead to higher self-reliance in defence technologies. The Defence Minister has also given away awards to DRDO scientists for outstanding contributions in various categories.

About

Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System:

  • It is a state-of-the-art and high performance intelligent software system that provides Global Maritime Situational Picture, marine planning tools and analytical capabilities to Indian Navy.
  • It also provides Maritime Operational Picture from naval headquarters to each individual ship in sea to enable naval command and control.
  • **Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics , Bengaluru and Indian Navy has jointly conceptualised and developed the product and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru has implemented it.

ASTRA Mk-I:

  • It is the indigenously developed first Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missile, which can be launched from Sukhoi-30, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Mig-29 and Mig-29K.
  • Globally, very few countries have expertise and capabilities to design and produce this class of weapon system.
  • The missile is designed to engage and destroy highly manoeuvring supersonic aircraft. The missile has all weather day and night capability.
  • Successful development of ASTRA weapon system by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) Hyderabad and production by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad is a major contribution towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Border Surveillance System (BOSS):

It is an all-weather electronic surveillance system successfully designed and developed by Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun. The system has been deployed at Ladakh border area for day and night surveillance and facilitates monitoring and surveillance by automatically detecting the intrusions in harsh high-altitude sub-zero temperature areas with remote operation capability.

**Awards for Outstanding Contributions:

DRDO Lifetime Achievement Award, 2018: Awarded to N V Kadam for his contributions for developing control and guidance schemes for missiles.

Source: TH


Anti-Defection Law in India

The Supreme Court of India recently gave a final three-week deadline to the Telangana Assembly Speaker to decide pending disqualification petitions against defecting MLAs under the Anti-Defection Law. What is the Anti-Defection Law? The Anti-Defection Law was introduced through the 52nd Amendment (1985), which added the Tenth Schedule to the

Rat-Hole Mining

A major disaster unfolded in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, when at least 18 workers died following an explosion in an illegally operating rat-hole coal mine. This incident highlights the continued prevalence of rat-hole mining despite bans imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court of India. Rat-hole mining is driven

India’s Aviation Sector

India’s aviation sector has grown rapidly, becoming a major economic success story. However, regulatory oversight has not evolved at the same pace. Data-driven monitoring of fares and market behavior is essential to ensure fair competition, prevent market abuse, and shift from reactive crisis management to proactive regulation. Challen

Federalism in India

Recently, a high-level committee on Union–State relations submitted its first report to the Government of Tamil Nadu. The report examines the distribution of powers and responsibilities between the Union and the States, highlighting ongoing debates regarding the balance between central authority and state autonomy. This discussion is clos

India–UAE Economic Partnership

The relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates has evolved from a traditional energy-based partnership into a comprehensive economic and strategic relationship. Over the years, strong political trust, growing trade, and expanding investments have transformed bilateral ties into a diversified economic corridor. The economic partnership

DNA

22 Mar,2026

Toppers

Search By Date

Newsletter Subscription
SMS Alerts

Important Links

UPSC GS Mains Crash Course - RAW