New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called for labs manned by "under-35" people for defence research that can be useful on the battlefield.
At a function, Mr Modi also told the Defence Research and Development Organisation or DRDO, to speed up and complete its programmes in time as "the world will not wait" for it.
"We need labs in India which utilize raw talent, which employ people only below the age of 35," the Prime Minister said, urging defence research scientists to come out with innovative ideas to "make like more comfortable for jawans."
Against the backdrop of delays in several major defence projects, Mr Modi appealed, ""The time demands... the world will not wait for us. We have to run ahead of time. That is why whatever we do, we should try hard to do it before time. It should not be so that a project is conceived in 1992 and in 2014 we say it will take some more time. The world will move on."
Several DRDO projects such as the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, the Nag missile, the long-range Surface-to-Air missile project and the Airborne Early Warning and Control System projects have been delayed by many years and seen several cost overruns.
The Prime Minister said technology in defence sector was changing fast and products two steps ahead were coming in the market, which left India behind.
"That is why the challenge before India is that how do we complete work before time. If the world is coming up with some products in 2020, can we come in the field prepared with products in 2018," he said.
Modi said the, "DRDO has to decide whether to be proactive and set agenda for the worl. We can be the world leader by not following but by showing the way."
India, he added, did not lack talent but was defeated by a "chalta hai (lackadaisical) attitude".