Now home-grown equipment to counter insurgents

NEW DELHI - India’s premier defence research organisaton has

indigenously developed technology and equipment for use in low-intensity insurgency and warfare.

The equipment was showcased by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at an exhibition Thursday.

The two-day exhibition is being held at the New Delhi headquarters of India’s premier defence research wing.

Inaugurating the exhibition, Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said the nation’s armed forces, including the paramilitary, had to meet the challenge of terrorists becoming tech savvy.

“The Mumbai attack showed us how quick terrorists were to use technology, set up Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Technology comes to be of great help for paramilitary forces (in fighting insurgencies),” Pillai said.

He said the DRDO was developing “cutting edge” technology and equipment “which can be used effectively” to counter insurgency threats.

Pillai said the DRDO developed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will play a key role in dealing with the Maoist insurgency.

The government has earmarked 10 DRDO labs specifically for technologies to develop devices for low intensity anti-terror operations.

The premium research wing is focussing on leveraging home grown technology for low intensity warfare. It is also developing penetration radar that can locate hidden objects under foliage up to 30 km away. The radar is said to come in handy while dealing with low intensity conflicts and tracking insurgents in deep forests.

“We need technology and equipment for aerial surveillance in naxal-affected areas. UAVs will be useful and also the balloon based surveillance,” Pillai said.

He said the union home ministry was ready “to place orders” for the equipment.