A New India
Chapter 177 - 177: Establishing DRDO

Next Week

The plan had been drafted and refined, but now, it was time for something far more crucial: action.

There was no room for error.

The previous discussions had laid out the groundwork, the structure, the advisory council, the divisions but now came the hard part: making it real.

The room was soon filled with familiar faces. General Singh of the Indian Army and Chief of Defense Staff, General Negi, sat beside Sardar Patel, the Defense Minister. Dr. Narayanan from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Professor Mishra from IIT Delhi had been brought in to ensure the scientific backbone of the organization was solid.

"Gentlemen," Rohan began, as he took his seat, "we've spent enough time talking about what DRDO should be. Now, we need to finalize how we will build it. Everything depends on how well we execute from this point on. There's no room for error."

"Prime Minister, the structure is in place," Sardar Patel said, shuffling through his papers. "We have the six key divisions planned, missile systems, radar technology, aerodynamics, military communications, electronic warfare, and armament systems but we need to start finalizing the personnel and the locations. This can't just exist on paper anymore."

Rohan nodded. "Exactly. We need to move fast but precisely. First things first, where are we setting up these divisions?"

Dr. Narayanan cleared his throat. "We've identified facilities in Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune that can be repurposed immediately for research. Each of these cities already has a scientific and industrial base we can build on. We'll need to retrofit them, of course, but it's a good starting point."

Professor Mishra added, "We also have some resources at IISc and the IITs. We can use those facilities to jumpstart research, especially for aerodynamics and communications. The idea is to get these divisions operational as soon as possible."

Rohan's expression remained focused. "What about testing? We can't wait months for research without being able to see results in the field."

Sardar Patel leaned forward. "We've been in discussions with HAL. They have testing grounds we can use in the short term. However, we'll need to set up our own dedicated testing facilities in Chandigarh and Hyderabad as we expand. But for the immediate future, HAL's resources will suffice."

General Singh, always practical, interjected. "And what about manpower? We need skilled engineers, scientists, and even military experts who can ensure what's being developed is actually useful in the field."

"We've already begun drafting recruitment notices," Rohan replied. "The best graduates from the IITs, IISc, and other universities will be brought in. But we won't just rely on experienced professionals. We need young minds, people who aren't set in their ways, who can think outside the box."

Professor Mishra added, "We've already started identifying promising candidates, but we'll need training programs. Most of these recruits won't have direct experience in defense technology."

Rohan's eyes narrowed. "That's why we'll need a training division as well. DRDO won't just be a research organization. It will be a place where skills are developed. Every recruit will go through a training phase, learning not just about the technology they'll be working on, but how it will be applied in the military context."

General Negi, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up. "I agree, Prime Minister. It's crucial that the scientists understand how their work will be used on the ground. But we also need to make sure there's no gap between the military and scientific community. The two must work together at every step."

Rohan nodded. "That's what the Defense Advisory Council is for. The council will ensure there's constant communication between the military and the scientists. We'll meet regularly to review progress and make adjustments where needed."

The meeting continued for over an hour, as the group finalized the specifics of DRDO's initial setup.

They discussed budgets, facilities, and the hiring process.

Now, it was about execution.

The days following the meeting were full of activity.

As soon as the structure was finalized, work began on transforming the selected locations into functional research divisions.

In Bangalore, the labs that had been used for basic research were quickly retrofitted for aerodynamics and missile systems research.

Equipment was shipped in, and the first set of scientists and engineers were brought on board.

In Hyderabad, a new facility was prepared for military communications and electronic warfare research.

These fields would be critical as India sought to modernize its defense infrastructure.

The city's existing industrial base made it a natural choice for this kind of development.

Recruitment began immediately, with notices sent out to universities and research institutions across the country.

Young scientists and engineers, many of them fresh graduates, flocked to the new organization.

In one of the newly retrofitted labs in Bangalore, Dr. Narayanan walked through the buzzing halls.

He stopped by one of the workstations where a young engineer was carefully adjusting the design of an early radar system.

"How's it coming along?" Dr. Narayanan asked, his voice calm but encouraging.

The young man looked up, surprised by the attention. "It's coming along, sir. We've managed to improve the range by about 10 percent, but we're still working on the power supply. It's unstable at high outputs."

Dr. Narayanan nodded, studying the design. "Don't worry about it. Innovation isn't linear. Take your time. It's about getting it right, not getting it fast."

As the young engineer smiled in relief, Dr. Narayanan continued his rounds, speaking to each of the scientists and engineers working on their respective projects.

Meanwhile, back in Delhi, Rohan was overseeing the logistical side of DRDO's development.

There were issues to solve, budget constraints, equipment shortages, and the need for faster construction at the facilities in Chandigarh and Pune.

One evening, as he sat in his office going over the latest reports, Patel entered the room, looking as tired as Rohan felt.

"We've hit a few roadblocks," Patel said, dropping a folder on Rohan's desk. "The testing grounds in Chandigarh won't be ready for another six months. Construction delays."

Rohan frowned but didn't seem surprised. "What's causing the delay?"

"Logistical issues," Patel replied. "Materials not arriving on time. Workforce shortages. The usual."

Rohan sighed, rubbing his temples. "We can't afford to wait. Can we move some of the early testing to Hyderabad? They're already set up for communications research, but we can use the space for other testing until Chandigarh is ready."

Patel nodded. "I'll get it done."

Finally after lots of ups and down, the day came for the official announcement.

It was a moment Rohan had been working toward for months, he stood in front of everyone.

Behind him was a banner with bold letters: "Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) – For a Self-Reliant India".

Rohan stepped up to the podium

"Today, we take another crucial step in securing India's future. With the establishment of the Defense Research and Development Organization, we are building the foundation for India's self-reliance in defense technology. No longer will we rely solely on foreign powers for our security,"

Rohan continued, his voice resonating through the room. "DRDO is not just an organization it is a mission. A mission to develop the cutting-edge technology that will protect our borders, empower our military, and, above all, ensure the safety of our nation for generations to come."

Journalists sat with their pens ready, military officials exchanged subtle nods, and scientists many of whom were now the backbone of DRDO looked on with pride and anticipation.

Rohan paused. He glanced at Patel, who gave him a brief nod of encouragement.

"DRDO will bring together the best minds in India," Rohan continued, "from our universities, our research institutions, and our defense sector. It will take the innovative spirit of our people and apply it directly to the needs of our armed forces.

From missile systems to advanced radar technology, from military communications to aerodynamics, DRDO will ensure that India leads the world in defense research and development.".

"This is not the work of one man or one government," Rohan continued. "This is the work of a nation. A nation that is determined to stand on its own two feet. A nation that is ready to take its place among the world's leading powers. A nation that will not only protect its borders but will also lead in the development of new technologies that will shape the future of warfare."

He paused again

"And today, I am proud to announce that the Defense Research and Development Organization is officially established."

Applause filled the room as Rohan stepped back from the podium.

The journalists began scribbling furiously, and the military officials exchanged firm handshakes.

It was a historic day for India.