Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has set up a Test Facility in Junput village in Medinipur district of West Bengal to equip India with tried and tested weapon system,
Official sources say that Junput is like Odisha’s Chandipur which is known for its Integrated Test Range (ITR), is also situated by the Bay of Bengal.
This Test Facility will provide an additional operation area, as it is required beacuse the existing ITR at Chandipur in Balasore district has become saturated with work related to testing.
DRDO has aimed at designing and developing state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, platforms and allied equipment in defence and security domains of land, air, sea, space and cyber, sources said.
“As timely trials of weapon systems are of paramount importance, a plan is being implemented for an additional operation area at Junput near Digha, about 70 KM from Chandipur,” the DRDO sources said.
Junput is also 177 KM from Kolkata and 40 KM from Digha, in West Bengal.
“Located in the coastal zone of West Bengal, this proposed site covers 8.73 acres of land and also meets the requisite safety norms. The project has got recommendations from the Union and the West Bengal Governments,” sources said.
The Test Center also got approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
“According to the standard, while undergoing any flight test, DRDO always keeps the safety and tranquility of humans and nature at utmost priority. All the people living in the vicinity of the test site should freely continue with their day-to-day activities.
“Further, DRDO ensures that its tests or trials do not impact the life of people, especially fishermen and farmers, dwelling in its surroundings,” said an official.
Moreover, the site is deemed fit to conduct trials from Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) of DRDO. A couple of flight tests are envisaged this year with Integrated Test Range (ITR) of DRDO ensuring all requisite safety requirements.
DRDO, since inception has aimed at design and development of state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, platforms & allied equipments in defence and security domains of land, air, sea, space & cyber.