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Defence Research and Development Organisation

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is a government agency functioning under the Department of Defence Research and Development, part of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.12 Tasked with conducting research and development for the Indian Armed Forces, DRDO is headquartered in New Delhi, India. It was established in 1958 by merging the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production of the Indian Ordnance Factories with the Defence Science Organisation, an initiative under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.234

In 1979, the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS) was established as a cadre of Group 'A' scientists directly administered by the Ministry of Defence. DRDO is the nation's largest and most diverse research organisation, comprising a network of 52 laboratories engaged in areas such as aeronautics, armaments, electronics, land combat engineering, life sciences, materials, missiles, and naval systems.56 The organisation consists of around 5,000 DRDS scientists and approximately 25,000 subordinate scientific, technical, and supporting personnel.56

History

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was formed in 1958 through the merger of the Defence Science Organisation and several technical development establishments. A dedicated Department of Defence Research and Development was created in 1980 to oversee DRDO and its laboratories, which at one point numbered nearly 52 before consolidation. Historically, DRDO functioned largely as a vendor to the armed services, particularly the Army and the Air Force, with these branches often framing procurement in terms of comparison with foreign products. This approach resulted in significant preference toward internationally available platforms, such as the MiG-21, over domestically designed systems unless comparable performance and reliability could be matched.

In the 1970s, efforts began to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers, particularly in areas like ground-based radar for the Indian Air Force (IAF). In collaboration with the DRDO's Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), the IAF contributed to indigenous radar programs such as the Indra and Rohini series, providing a foundation for the broader modernisation of India's air defence systems.7

The organisation's early major projects included Project Indigo, a surface-to-air missile (SAM) development program initiated in the 1960s. Though discontinued without full success, Project Indigo set the stage for subsequent programs, including Project Devil and Project Valiant in the 1970s, which focused on short-range SAMs and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Project Devil would eventually lead to the Prithvi missile project under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) in the 1980s. IGMDP was a significant initiative spanning from the early 1980s to 2007 and resulted in the development of a range of missile systems including the Agni missile, Prithvi ballistic missile, Akash missile, Trishul missile, and Nag Missile.

In 2010, the Defence Minister A. K. Antony called for DRDO's restructuring to enhance research effectiveness and ensure greater private sector participation. This included the creation of a Defence Technology Commission chaired by the defence minister.89 Over the years, many DRDO-managed programs achieved operational deployment and generated technological advancements for India’s defence sector. Key developments have included aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery, electronic warfare systems, armoured vehicles, sonar, command and control systems, and missile technologies.

In recent years, DRDO milestones have included the 2024 test of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile, capable of delivering conventional or nuclear warheads over 1,500 km at speeds up to 3 km per second.10 In June 2025, DRDO offered 28 indigenously developed weapon systems for emergency procurement by the Indian Armed Forces, providing details on both the platforms and their manufacturing agencies.11 On August 23, 2025, DRDO successfully flight-tested the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), a multi-layered domestic air defence solution integrating systems such as QRSAM, VSHORADS, and a Directed Energy Weapon.12 The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, announced on November 14, 2025, the development of new-generation Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs) for mine countermeasure operations, equipped with side-scan sonar and underwater cameras for real-time detection and classification of mine-like objects.1314

Plans for reforms

In 2023, the Government of India initiated a review of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with the objective of implementing comprehensive reforms.[^15] A nine-member committee was established for this purpose under the oversight of the Prime Minister's Office and chaired by former Principal Scientific Adviser, K. Vijayraghavan. The committee's report, which was submitted in July 2024, outlined a series of recommendations for restructuring the organisation.15

Media reports have characterized the reforms proposed by the committee as contentious. According to sources, DRDO has agreed to implement around 60% of the recommended major changes.15 As of October 2024, the implementation process for these structural reforms has encountered delays attributed to opposition from senior DRDO personnel.1617

DRDO 2.0

The initiative referred to as "DRDO 2.0" represents a strategic shift in the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) approach to defence technology. Under this strategy, DRDO is orienting its research and development away from conventional weapon systems towards emerging technologies such as directed-energy weapons, photonics, quantum systems, and artificial intelligence. This change was outlined by Dr. B.K. Das, Director General for Electronics & Communication Systems, who stated that DRDO intends to focus primarily on long-term strategic research in these new areas while retaining a limited role in the continued development of conventional systems—providing approximately 10–20% of overall support. Beginning in 2025, the majority of development and manufacturing for conventional defence systems will be transferred to the private sector, with the aim of allowing industrial partners to scale up production while DRDO concentrates on next-generation capabilities.18

Organisation

The Defence Research and Development Organisation is structured to oversee a wide range of research areas and support functions. Its structure historically included numerous specialised laboratories, HR and research institutions, and Centres of Excellence distributed across India. Recent reforms have rationalised and merged some establishments to enhance efficiency.19

Cluster Laboratories and Establishments

DRDO manages an extensive network of specialised laboratories and establishments, each tasked with research and development in areas crucial to the Indian armed forces. These facilities address a broad spectrum of scientific and engineering challenges, including aeronautics, missiles and strategic systems, armaments, electronics, artificial intelligence, surveillance, radar, high-energy materials, bioengineering, sonar, vehicle development, metallurgy, textiles, and more. Instead of an exhaustive table, this section lists some representative laboratories and highlights the scope of the group.

Key laboratories include:

  • Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Hyderabad: Missiles and Strategic Systems
  • Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra: Parachutes & Aerial Systems
  • Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru: Aeronautics
  • Armaments Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune: Armaments
  • Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR), Bengaluru: Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
  • Centre for Fire, Explosives & Environment Safety (CFEES), Delhi: Explosives
  • Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad: High Energy Weapons
  • Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai: Combat Vehicles
  • Defence Bio-engineering & Electro-medical Laboratory (DeBEL), Bengaluru: Bio-engineering
  • Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), Hyderabad: Electronic Warfare
  • Defence Materials & Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur: Textiles, Polymers & Composites
  • Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Hyderabad: Metallurgy
  • Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad: Missiles & Strategic Systems
  • Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), Bengaluru: Radars
  • Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bengaluru: Gas Turbines
  • High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune: High Energy Materials
  • Institute of Nuclear Medicines & Allied Sciences (INMAS), Delhi: Nuclear Medicine
  • Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi: Sonar Systems
  • Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam: Underwater Weapons
  • Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad: Missiles & Strategic Systems
  • Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh: Ballistics
  • Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar: Wheeled Vehicles

Some laboratories reflect recent consolidation. For example, the Defence Terrain Research Laboratory (DTRL) was merged with the Snow and Avalanche Studies Establishment (SASE), which was renamed the Defence Geological Research Establishment (DGRE). ANURAG and Laser Science and Technology Center (LASTEC) ceased as independent entities in 2020, their staff redeployed to Hyderabad labs.20 DRDO is planning to build a new research laboratory in Lucknow.21

DRDO also oversees Young Scientist Laboratories intended to foster innovative research:

  • Bengaluru: Artificial Intelligence
  • Kolkata: Asymmetric Technologies
  • Chennai: Cognitive Technologies
  • Mumbai: Quantum Technology
  • Hyderabad: Smart Materials

For more detail, see the DRDO website.22

Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme

The Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme is a programme of the Ministry of Defence, administered by DRDO, designed to support companies—including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups—in developing innovative defence technologies.23 By December 2024, a total of 79 TDF projects were sanctioned to various industrial partners for the advancement of defence-related technologies.23

One notable TDF achievement was the handover of the iBooster Green Propulsion System to DRDO by Manastu Space Technologies, based at IIT Bombay, on 11 December 2024. The iBooster system is tailored for satellites weighing between 100–500 kg and supports critical functions such as orbit raising, orbital station-keeping, and deorbiting. Using a patented hydrogen peroxide-based fuel in place of conventional hydrazine, iBooster offers a safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendlier propulsion option. Its high-temperature catalyst enables reliable ignition, with the thruster optimized for efficiency.2425 The iBooster green propulsion technology was successfully demonstrated in orbit aboard a launched payload on PSLV-C58.26

Industry Linkages, Technology Transfer, and Indigenisation

India domestically manufactures approximately 45%–50% of its defence products, with the remainder imported.27 To increase self-reliance and reduce import dependency, DRDO has encouraged expanded collaboration with private industry, research institutions, and academia, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs).27 Historically, India's military–industrial complex achieved limited success, and significant private-sector participation in defence production is a recent development.28 The Indian Army, aiming to ensure technology development aligns with operational needs, has requested that more army personnel be seconded to DRDO project teams.29

In 2024, DRDO executed 950 technology transfers to Indian companies, with 256 licensing agreements signed for DRDO-developed systems.26

Development cum Production Partner Programme

To foster involvement of private enterprises from the initial design phase through to production, DRDO implemented the Development cum Production Partner Programme (DcPP).18 The programme is intended to streamline manufacturing readiness and facilitate the adoption of advanced domestic technologies, in alignment with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. Through DcPP, DRDO provides strategic support and "handholding" to private sector companies throughout the development and production cycles of complex defence systems.

Among the notable successes of this programme are the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, both developed with significant private sector participation.3031 In 2021, VL-SRSAM became one of the first missile projects to include such collaboration. Similarly, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was awarded an order for the DRDO Abhyas drone, completed in partnership with a private sector firm under DcPP.32

External links

  1. "About DRDO". gistconvention.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2015. ↩

  2. "DRDO". Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017. ↩ ↩2

  3. "Defence gets Rs 5.94 lakh crore in Budget 2023-24, a jump of 13% over previous year". Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023. ↩

  4. "Main focus to work towards fulfilling the mission mandated for DRDO: G. Satheesh Reddy". 25 August 2018. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2018. ↩

  5. "DRDO". www.drdo.gov.in. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017. ↩ ↩2

  6. "DRDO Scientist Job – DRDO Scientist B recruitment- Scientist recruitment DRDO". Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015. ↩ ↩2

  7. Gupta, Anchit (12 November 2024). "The Audacious Secret Story of Indian Air Force's Radar Indigenisation Program". IAFHistory. Retrieved 5 May 2025. ↩

  8. "MoD Announces Major DRDO Restructuring Plan | Defence & Security News at DefenceTalk". Defencetalk.com. 17 May 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010. ↩

  9. "defence.professionals". defpro.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2010. ↩

  10. Rout, Hemant Kumar (1 December 2024). "India first to develop long-range hypersonic missile: Defence experts". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 December 2024. ↩

  11. "DRDO offers 28 indigenous weapon systems to Army for emergency procurement". Business Standard. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025. ↩

  12. "'Multi-layered shield': India successfully tests maiden flight of Integrated Air Defence Weapon system; watch". The Times of India. 24 August 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 August 2025. ↩

  13. "DRDO develops new generation Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles for mine countermeasure missions". 14 November 2025. ↩

  14. "DRDO Develops New Generation Man-Portable Underwater Vehicles". 14 November 2025. ↩

  15. Pandit, Rajat (30 July 2024). "DRDO overhaul on course, government to also take final call on 'contentious' reforms". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 October 2024. ↩ ↩2

  16. Sagar, Pradip R. (3 October 2024). "DRDO rejig hits internal huddle: What's delaying this key Modi govt reform". India Today. Retrieved 23 October 2024. ↩

  17. "'Committee has suggested certain reforms to overhaul functioning of DRDO'". Business Standard. Press Trust of India. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024. ↩

  18. "DRDO 2.0: From lasers to AI, top defence R&D official shares the big 'pizza' plan for India's next-gen warfare". The Economic Times. 1 July 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 6 July 2025. ↩ ↩2

  19. "Press Information Bureau". Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017. ↩

  20. Mohan, Vijay (30 November 2020). "DRDO shuts down 3 labs, sends staff to other centres". Tribuneindia News Service. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2021. ↩

  21. Srivastava, Pranchal (3 April 2021). "DRDO research centre to come up in Lucknow, says Rajnath Singh". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2021. ↩

  22. "PM dedicates 5 DRDO Young Scientists Laboratories to the Nation". Press Trust of India. PTI. 2 January 2020. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2021. ↩

  23. "79 projects worth Rs 334 cr sanctioned under TDF scheme: Defence MoS Sanjay Seth tells Lok Sabha". The Economic Times. 6 December 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 26 June 2025. ↩ ↩2

  24. Tripathi, Sibu Kumar (12 December 2024). "Manastu Space delivers green propulsion system for satellites to DRDO". India Today. Retrieved 6 January 2025. ↩

  25. Siddiqui, Huma (11 December 2024). "Manastu Space Delivers Groundbreaking Green Propulsion System to DRDO, Empowered by TDF Support". Financialexpress. Retrieved 6 January 2025. ↩

  26. "Several DRDO systems in 'final stages' of user evaluation or development trials: Defence Ministry". The Economic Times. 3 January 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 26 June 2025. ↩ ↩2

  27. DRDO chief urges for indigenous defence production Archived 28 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine, The Economic Times, 28 September 2019. ↩ ↩2

  28. Why unlocking defence land bank to meet military's needs isn't a bad idea Archived 20 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine, The Economic Times, 4 November 2019. ↩

  29. NEWS Army wants DRDO to take in more of its personnel on deputation, give them more access Archived 5 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine, liistudio.com, 18 October 2019. ↩

  30. "DRDO opens up missile production partnership for Indian private sector". The Times of India. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 6 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021. ↩

  31. Negi, Manjeet (6 April 2021). "Private firms allowed to partner up with DRDO in missile development, production". India Today. Retrieved 26 June 2025. ↩

  32. "HAL bags ADE-DRDO supply order for 'ABHYAS' target platform". Deccan Chronicle. PTI. 17 December 2021. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021. ↩