This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
1973
The Jiwaji Industrial Research Laboratory comes under the control of the Ministry of Defense and becomes the Defense Research & Development Establishment.
—Defense Research & Development Establishment, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/material/drde/history.shtml>.
15 January 1973
India signs the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC).
—"Chemical And Biological Weapons Proliferation at a Glance," Arms Control Association, September 2002.
15 July 1974
India ratifies the BWC.
—"Chemical And Biological Weapons Proliferation at a Glance," Arms Control Association, September 2002.
1976
The Defense Material & Storage R & D Establishment is created. The establishment is an amalgamation of three other establishments: Defence Research Laboratories (Stores) (DRL(s)), Textiles & Stores Research & Development Establishment (TSRDE) and Defence Research Laboratories (Materials) (DRL(M)), and the Defense Institute of Stores Preservation and Packaging.
—Defense Material & Storage R & D Establishment, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/material/dmsrde/index.shtml>.
Early 1980s
Biotechnology begins to expand rapidly in India following the concerted efforts of the Indian Department of Science and Technology, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, private entrepreneurs, and the formation of the Department of Biotechnology,
—"How Biotech Improved Agriculture," The Hindu, 23 July 1998.
1980
The Department of Defense Research and Development is established and is set up to manage DRDO and its various laboratories.
—John Pike, "Defense Research and Development Organization: Indian Special Weapons Agencies," Federation of American Scientists, 29 May 2002, <http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/agency/drdo.htm>.
October 1980
The Field Laboratory is upgraded to a full-fledged establishment and is designated the Defense Research Laboratory.
—Defense Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/dls/dipas/history.shtml>.
1982
The Regional Medical Research Center for N.E. Region is established in Dibrugarh, Assam. The center is set up to promote biomedical research and to combat the health problems of the seven northeast states of Arunachala, Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.
—Indian Parasitology Centers, <http://www.parasitologyindia.org/parasitology_centers.htm>.
1982
The Defense Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory is established. The lab is established following the merger of the Aero Bio-Engineering Unit of the Institute of Aviation Medicine and the Electromedical Instrumentation Division of LRDE.
—Defense Bioengineering & Electromedical Lab Information Packet, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/dis/debel/history.shtml>.
1984
The Agricultural Research Unit is redesignated the Defense Agricultural Research Laboratory (DARL).
—Defense Agricultural Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/drl/darl/history.shtml>.
1989
The Indian company Hoechst India Ltd. begins production of PCEC rabies vaccine on a primary chicken embryo cell line.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 502.
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Updated September 2003 |
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