(a) whether the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been developing a technology to enable the Indian Military and Security forces to see clearly in pitch dark;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which this technology is likely to be developed?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) Thermal Imager system has been developed as one of the Electro-Optical Sensors for Naval Ship. It has been tried out and it works upto range of 12 km. Another system is being developed specifically for NAG Missile for ground as well as for air roles.
(c) Due to some critical technologies involved, full scale indigenous development may take another five years.