‘Several countries evincing interest in buying the anti-submarine torpedo’

There is immense potential for export of ‘Varunastra’, an advanced heavy weight anti-submarine torpedo indigenously developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), with many countries evincing interest in buying it, DRDO Chairman G. Satheesh Reddy has said.

The DRDO chief, who participated as chief guest in the 49th Lab Raising Day celebrations at NSTL here on Saturday, described ‘Varunastra’ as the ‘pride of India’. Similarly, Mareech, TAL and many mines, also developed by NSTL, have already been accepted by users.

Dr. Reddy, who is also Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D), however, called upon scientists and employees not to rest on laurels but to rededicate themselves to take the lab to greater heights in its golden jubilee year.

“This is the time to look at the progress made, the growth rate achieved, the position of the lab in comparison to those in the developed nations and the way forward to make the golden jubilee year ‘memorable.”

Dr. Reddy said: “Developing world-class products and world-class technology at lower cost will enable India to export. We should transform into ‘technology leaders’ from being ‘technology followers’. Every lab should spend at least 25% of its resources on R & D. We (DRDO scientists) cannot do everything and we need to encourage academia and local industry.”

He urged the scientists not to look upon the private industry as ‘competitors’ but as the one that complements their work.

NSTL Director Nandagopan briefed about the activities of the lab.