New Delhi/Vishakhapatnam, January 20 (IANS). The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense chaired by Radha Mohan Singh on Tuesday visited the Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam. The visit was important to review the indigenous technologies and efforts of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to strengthen the underwater capabilities of the Indian Navy.
The Committee inspected various advanced products developed by NSTL. These include Torpedoes like ALWT (Advanced Lightweight Torpedo), Varunstra and EHWT (Extended Heavyweight Torpedo), Mines (MIGM and PBGM), Decoy System (SFD, Torbuster), SMART (Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo), HEAUV (High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle), Swarm (Affluence of Autonomous Vehicles), Underwater systems, vehicles and other related underwater weapons technologies were included.
During the visit the Committee witnessed a live demonstration of hydro-dynamic testing on a scaled-down model of a ship at the Sea-Keeping and Maneuvering Basin Test Facility. The facility plays a vital role in testing the mobility and performance of ships and underwater platforms. The delegation greatly appreciated the Research & Development (R&D) efforts of NSTL in developing underwater platforms, weapons and technologies that meet the requirements of the Indian Navy.
Dr. Sameer V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defense R&D and Chairman, DRDO, DG (Naval Systems and Materiel) Dr. R.V. Hara Prasad and NSTL Director Dr. Abraham Varghese welcomed the delegation including Members of Parliament, Lok Sabha Secretariat and Defense Ministry officials.
Director NSTL briefed the Committee on the ongoing R&D activities at the Laboratory, including collaboration with industry and academia. He also highlighted the Lab’s future technology roadmap, which includes further developments in strategic areas such as Maritime Domain Awareness and Underwater Domain Awareness. The Committee particularly appreciated these efforts as these areas are extremely important in safeguarding India’s maritime security and national interests.
–IANS
SCH/DKP
