DRDO programme for commercialisation of technologies 
The Mint, February 24, 2009

Country’s premier defence research organisation - DRDO - along with Ficci and Texas University has initiated a programme for commercialisation of technologies developed by it for the defence forces.

“The Technology Assessment and Commercialisation (ATAC) programme aims to create a commercial pathway to deliver technologies developed by DRDO for appropriate commercial markets for use in civilian products and services,” DRDO chief M Natarajan said here.

In the first edition of the programme, 26 DRDO labs with over 200 technologies are being assessed by Ficci for developing them into commercial ventures in both national and international markets.
Natarajan added that 85% of the technologies being developed by DRDO were of dual use and could be successfully used in civilian applications.

“While DRDO continues to develop cutting-edge technologies for Indian armed forces, it will also pursue spinning out relevant technologies for non-military applications,” he said.

Speaking on the interest shown by the industry in the programme, Ficci chairman Amit Mitra said, “Within four months of signing the MoU between DRDO and Ficci, several leading industry players have submitted their expressions of interest (EoI) to Ficci.”