Stating that our defence needs have increased, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that constant modernisation of the Armed Forces is the need of the hour. “Keeping ourselves ready is our top priority and we are constantly working to enhance our strategic capabilities. Be it technology or products, services or facilities, their advanced and fasterdevelopment is the need for the hour,” he added.
He inaugurated a seven-storeyed Flight Control System (FCS) Integration facility at Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Bengaluru, He recalled that “Economic, political and strategic equations are changing all over the world and major world powers are in a tussle.
“This energy is of technology, commitment, institutional collaboration among public sector, private sector & academia and above all of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said, exuding confidence that the facility will go a long way in bolstering national security.
The complex will also provide simulator training to the pilots of combat aircraft. Rajnath Singh described it as one of the most important components of the complex. The simulators provide an opportunity to learn by making mistakes without the possibility of any kinds of losses, he stated.
He expressed hope that although the mandate of DRDO is to develop futuristic technologies, its spin-off benefits will be available to the civilian sector as well. “Our traditional construction industry is generally considered to be labour intensive, high risk and low on productivity.
But, the way DRDO has constructed the FCS complex through hybrid technology, our infrastructure projects will be completed in a low cost and time-bound mannerin the timesto come,” he said. Rajnath Singh called upon DRDO to continue exploring new possibilities in construction technology and contribute to nation building through new innovations.
The FCS facility is a building with the plinth area of 1.3 lakh square feet.The construction has been completed in 45 days, setting a unique record of completing a permanent building of seven stories with hybrid construction technology for the first time in the history of construction industry in the country.In Hybrid Construction Technology, the column and beam elements of the structural frame are built with steel plates.
