Roles & Responsibilities
Role
To support and promote Indian Industries with DRDO developed Technologies and enhance their technical capabilities to become globally competitive.
Responsibilities
Industry Interface
DRDO in collaboration with 1800+ industry partners has developed several systems, equipment, products and technologies for military and spin off applications. DIITM Interface with industry and industry chambers for productionisation and commercialization of DRDO developed systems/ technologies.
Technology Management
DIITM is the nodal agency in DRDO to evolve policy frameworks and address all matters related to Transfer of Technology (ToT) and issue of licenses to industries both in India and abroad for DRDO developed systems and technologies. DIITM is also involved in Limited Series Production (LSP), technology acquisition through offsets and interface with DDP regarding NoC for exportsapplications of industries. Brief about same is given below:-
i. Transfer of Technology
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is a defence R&D hub which develops defence technologies, systems/products that are required for Indian Armed Forces. DRDO develops defence technologies in the project mode. In addition, DRDO also undertakes/ supports various technologies & products whose development has been undertaken through Research Boards, Technology Development Fund (TDF), Extramural Research and grant-in-aid schemes.
Whenever, the system has been trial evaluated/ accepted by Armed Forces, the technology is transferred to the Indian Industries to manufacture for production and supply. While transferring the technology to the Indian Industries, DRDO provides the relevant 'know-how' to the industries in the form of Technology Transfer Document (TTD) and hand holding support to absorb the technology. DRDO also provides the freedom to industries to carry out value addition to the base technology. This is a qualitative difference for the Industries when they acquire technology from the foreign OEMs wherein generally such value addition is prohibited at the receiver's end. All such modifications/ improvements happen at OEM's end and often a new licensing agreement is required to be entered into by the industry for the value added product.
Some of the defence technologies developed by DRDO have good potential and utility for application in civilian market too. Such technologies are transferred to the industries with dual licensing rights for defence sector (MHA and other Govt organisations) and commercial market. Thus, ToT of DRDO systems/ technologies to Indian Industries contributes leads to national development through self-reliance and industrial growth.
ii. Limited Series Production (LSP)
The mechanism of LSP aims to establish the production line and resolve issues (if any) related to production of DRDO product before bulk production. As opposed to an R&D Project which is essentially an in-house activity financed by R&D Budget, LSP is funded by concerned User, is time bound. It may necessitate co-opting industry partners and transfer of technology to such entities.
iii. Technology Acquisition through Offsets provision by DAP/DPP
DIITM handles all matters related to Technology Acquisition by DRDO through offsets. All Technology Acquisition proposals are forwarded by the Technical Manager to the DIITM, DRDO HQ. These proposals are assessed by the Technology Acquisition Committee. The Committee recommends technology acquisition based on viability of the proposal, technology implications, options for availability of the technology, range and depth of acquisition indicated, absorption capability in the country, status of IP before and after acquisition along with the assessment of cost of the technology.
iv. Export of Military Products
DRDO is one of the stakeholders in assessing the applications received from Indian Industries requesting for No objection Certificate (NoC) for exports of Military products to friendly countries. For export of Military products based on DRDO technologies, DIITM carries out all the coordination and interface for ToT and customisation to suit the export requirements.
v. Access of DRDO Test Facilities to Industries
The Labs of DRDO have state-of-art infrastructure including ‘Test Facilities’. It has been decided to provide access to these ‘Test Facilities’ on payment basis to Indian industries (Private/Govt/DPSUs/PSUs)engaged in Defence manufacturing (including under ‘Make in India’ initiative). Directorate of Industry Interface and Technology Management (DIITM), DRDO HQ is the central agency at corporate level for industry interface.