Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked Defence, Research and Development Organisation, DRDO, to work at a faster pace to make India a global leader in the defence manufacturing sector.

Addressing a DRDO Award function in New Delhi, Mr. Modi stressed on bringing ingenuity in defence research work for the purpose.

He said, technology has become a key driving force in the changing parameters of war and defence.The Prime Minister asked the DRDO scientists to come out with innovative ideas to make jawans life more comfortable.

The Prime Minister said that the DRDO should identify universities and associate its scientists to utilize their raw talent.

He said, there is a need for laboratories which employ scientists below the age of 35. He said it is a challenge to complete the projects before scheduled time.Modi said, if the world is finishing something in 2020 then India should do the same by 2018.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley in his address said, at present India substantially depends on imports for its equipments and there is a need to reduce reliance on imports and become a manufacturing hub.He said security of the country cannot be ignored because India's geographical location is peculiar. He said defence preparedness is the best guarantee for peace.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister also conferred DRDO awards for 2013 on eminent scientists for their outstanding contribution in various areas of defence research and technology.

DRDO lifetime achievements award was given to Dr Dipanker Banerjee, former Director of DMRL and Chief Controller of Research and Development of DRDO.