Defence Technology Council: 17 Jan 2024

Key Points:

• A top body chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Defence Minister and the National Security Advisor as its Vice Presidents to determine the country’s defence technology roadmap and decide on major projects.
• The Defence Technology Council is proposed to have an executive committee chaired by the Chief of Defence Staff.
• The Principal Scientific Advisor, along with the three service chiefs and their vice chiefs, will also be members of the Defence Technology Council.
• It will include representation from academia and industry.

Vijay Raghavan Committee Recommendations:

• It was established by the government to review the functioning of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• It recommended that the DRDO should primarily focus on research and development for defense.
• The committee suggests that production and product management are more suitable for the private sector.
• A separate department under the Defence Ministry — the Department of Defence Science, Technology, and Innovation, should be established.

Why in news?

• An expert committee led by the former principal scientific advisor, Prof K Vijay Raghavan, has recommended the establishment of the  Defence Technology Council.