A Parliamentary Committee has urged the establishment of a distinct budget category for research and development in critical and advanced technologies to expedite India’s initiatives in futuristic defence systems. In their report regarding Recommendation No. 25, the Committee highlighted the importance of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in focusing on next-generation military capabilities in light of rapid global advancements in defence technology.

The Committee’s report specifically mentions that while the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) represents India’s fifth-generation fighter programme, preparations are also in progress for the development of sixth-generation fighter aircraft. These future fighters are expected to be highly integrated, operating in conjunction with other military platforms and on-ground systems.

Among the significant areas underscored by the Committee is the advancement of Supersonic Glide Missile systems. These systems, which can achieve both supersonic or hypersonic speeds alongside gliding and manoeuvring capabilities post-launch, are noted for being particularly hard to detect and intercept.

Infrastructure and Funding Considerations

The Committee emphasised the necessity of indigenous development in glide missile technology, recognising that this would greatly enhance India’s strategic capabilities and operational flexibility amid the evolving landscape of network-centric and cloud-enabled warfare. To facilitate these advancements, the report recommends not just sufficient funding but also the establishment of specific, time-bound development milestones, as well as robust testing infrastructures.

To avert potential funding bottlenecks, the Committee put forth a proposal for a dedicated budget allocation targeting critical and emergent technologies. This strategic move aims to ensure priority handling and timely execution of vital defence projects.

The Committee also pointed out that strengthening domestic capacities in these technological domains would further India’s objective of achieving technological self-reliance while augmenting future defence platforms, such as next-generation combat aircraft and unmanned systems.

Progress in Hypersonic Technologies

The Ministry of Defence has informed the Committee that the DRDO’s initiatives in hypersonic technologies are advancing. The government outlined that hypersonic missile systems provide substantial advantages, operating at velocities exceeding Mach 5 while maintaining low altitudes. Their high manoeuvrability renders them exceptionally difficult targets for current defence systems.

Furthermore, the Ministry stated that hypersonic weapons reduce an adversary’s decision-making and response times significantly. They facilitate surprise engagements from unpredictable directions and leverage immense kinetic energy for penetrating and neutralising fortified targets.

By championing these advancements, the Parliamentary Committee aims to ensure that India remains competitive in global defence technology, thus emphasising the necessity for a structured and adequately funded framework to support these strategic initiatives.

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