11-29-2006, 07:21 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-Ravish+Nov 29 2006, 05:36 AM-->QUOTE(Ravish @ Nov 29 2006, 05:36 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Recently a DRDO developed anti missile system was test fired successfully. The high supersonic missile successfully intercepted a Pritvi-II missile at an height of 50 km over the Bay of Bengal. This was big sucess for the DRDO, whose other two missiles Akash and another one are still facing teething problems.
Once the anti missile system is accpted by the armed forces and is inducted for service, India will have its own system like the Patriot System of the USA.
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Not everyone has this good feeling. Pioneer thinks it is not a worthwhile test.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> Flights of fancy
The Pioneer Edit Desk
Desperate DRDO pulls out a rabbit
Monday's missile test off the coast of Orissa - applauded by a harried group of DRDO scientists facing criticism for presiding over an organisation that remains mired in bureaucratic delays and inefficiency - wasn't exactly a frightfully impressive display of indigenous technology or power insofar as Integrated Missile Development Programme is concerned. <b>Launched in 1983, the IGMDP is yet to deliver significantly on any one of its objectives: Apart from the Prithvi series, and to an extent Agni, none of the other vaunted missile programmes - whether they be Akash surface-to-air (long range), Nag anti-tank, or even Trishul surface-to-air (short range) - have, in a manner of speaking, left the drawing boards.</b> Working on prototypes of reversed-engineered Soviet era SA-2 missiles, it's true that DRDO has successfully developed the Prithvi series; however, the missile system has its own set of problems.<b> Its liquid fuel is highly corrosive and its precision and accuracy, too, leave a lot to be desired. First launched in 1988, the Prithvi series have had a score of test-flights; however, till date not more than 75 have been deployed with the Army that, it might be pointed out, has been a somewhat reluctant buyer. The Agni series, on the other hand, falls in the category of IRBM, and is a work of assemblage: It's the technological offspring of Prithvi and ISRO's SLV-3 rocket. What is surprising about Agni I and II is that these have been declared to be ready for serial production with just three test-flights apiece. Questions may justly be raised whether, in doing so, DRDO has jumped the gun.</b> After all, precision and accuracy in ballistic missile defence (BMD) system can hardly be compromised. Developed nations take anything between 10 to 20 tests of their missile systems to fine-tune their dynamics. Is, therefore, DRDO trying to tell that it has done better than the great powers? It's because of its obsession with secrecy and tardiness - a damaging cocktail - that DRDO has failed to shake off the wide perception that, stung to the quick by series of adverse media reports, it has desperately pulled out a little known programme out of the bag to claim that its IMDGP/BMD is working well.
Clearly, DRDO needs to function more like a military-industrial complex with a corporate culture than replicate countless ailing PSUs. It must, therefore, before anything else, set realistic goals and deadlines and work towards them instead of making outlandish claims and commitments just to please the political leadership of the day. It must be critically aware of its limitations and not fall victim to its own ambitions. It must seek synergies and partnerships and press the political leadership for the same. <b>Finally, it must introspect as to why such a large number of its projects have failed: From the Light Combat Aircraft, to the Main Battle Tank, and from nuclear-powered submarine to a slew of missile programmes - the off-Orissa test-flight of two Prithvis knocking each other down high in the sky notwithstanding</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Once the anti missile system is accpted by the armed forces and is inducted for service, India will have its own system like the Patriot System of the USA.
[right][snapback]61502[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Not everyone has this good feeling. Pioneer thinks it is not a worthwhile test.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> Flights of fancy
The Pioneer Edit Desk
Desperate DRDO pulls out a rabbit
Monday's missile test off the coast of Orissa - applauded by a harried group of DRDO scientists facing criticism for presiding over an organisation that remains mired in bureaucratic delays and inefficiency - wasn't exactly a frightfully impressive display of indigenous technology or power insofar as Integrated Missile Development Programme is concerned. <b>Launched in 1983, the IGMDP is yet to deliver significantly on any one of its objectives: Apart from the Prithvi series, and to an extent Agni, none of the other vaunted missile programmes - whether they be Akash surface-to-air (long range), Nag anti-tank, or even Trishul surface-to-air (short range) - have, in a manner of speaking, left the drawing boards.</b> Working on prototypes of reversed-engineered Soviet era SA-2 missiles, it's true that DRDO has successfully developed the Prithvi series; however, the missile system has its own set of problems.<b> Its liquid fuel is highly corrosive and its precision and accuracy, too, leave a lot to be desired. First launched in 1988, the Prithvi series have had a score of test-flights; however, till date not more than 75 have been deployed with the Army that, it might be pointed out, has been a somewhat reluctant buyer. The Agni series, on the other hand, falls in the category of IRBM, and is a work of assemblage: It's the technological offspring of Prithvi and ISRO's SLV-3 rocket. What is surprising about Agni I and II is that these have been declared to be ready for serial production with just three test-flights apiece. Questions may justly be raised whether, in doing so, DRDO has jumped the gun.</b> After all, precision and accuracy in ballistic missile defence (BMD) system can hardly be compromised. Developed nations take anything between 10 to 20 tests of their missile systems to fine-tune their dynamics. Is, therefore, DRDO trying to tell that it has done better than the great powers? It's because of its obsession with secrecy and tardiness - a damaging cocktail - that DRDO has failed to shake off the wide perception that, stung to the quick by series of adverse media reports, it has desperately pulled out a little known programme out of the bag to claim that its IMDGP/BMD is working well.
Clearly, DRDO needs to function more like a military-industrial complex with a corporate culture than replicate countless ailing PSUs. It must, therefore, before anything else, set realistic goals and deadlines and work towards them instead of making outlandish claims and commitments just to please the political leadership of the day. It must be critically aware of its limitations and not fall victim to its own ambitions. It must seek synergies and partnerships and press the political leadership for the same. <b>Finally, it must introspect as to why such a large number of its projects have failed: From the Light Combat Aircraft, to the Main Battle Tank, and from nuclear-powered submarine to a slew of missile programmes - the off-Orissa test-flight of two Prithvis knocking each other down high in the sky notwithstanding</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->