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Projects of DRDO

Projects of DRDO covers the major programs and initiatives undertaken by the Defence Research and Development Organisation in India.

Aeronautics

DRDO develops indigenous fighter aircraft, avionics, and aerospace technologies, including the HAL Tejas and AMCA programs.1

LCA Tejas at IAF induction ceremony
LCA Tejas at IAF induction ceremony Bikash Das from bangalore, india (CC BY 2.0)

Fighter Aircraft Escape System

DRDO developed an indigenous ejection system for fighter aircraft, successfully tested to enhance pilot safety and reduce procurement costs for future platforms.234

Electronic countermeasure

DRDO developed advanced chaff material and cartridges to counter radar threats for military aircraft.5

Other Hindustan Aeronautics programmes

DRDO supports HAL in indigenising aircraft like the HAL Dhruv and HJT-36, contributing critical systems and spares.

HJT-36 Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) prototype
HJT-36 Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) prototype Ajai Shukla, uploaded by User:Sniperz11 (CC BY 2.5 in)

Unmanned aerial vehicles

DRDO develops UAVs including tactical, target, and long-endurance models such as Nishant, Lakshya, and Rustom for military roles.678

A scaled down model of TAPAS-BH-201 Model
A scaled down model of TAPAS-BH-201 Model Udayblr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
DRDO ABHYAS at Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range.
DRDO ABHYAS at Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range. Ministry of Defence (GODL-India)

DRDO Ghatak

Ghatak is a stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle under development for the Indian Air Force.

Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT)

SWiFT is a test program for technologies related to the Ghatak UCAV and future unmanned bomber projects.9

Anti-drone warfare

DRDO is developing technologies and systems to counter hostile drones.

Integrated Drone Detection & Interdiction System

DRDO's laser-based IDD&IS provides detection and neutralization of drones, with various power variants inducted into Indian defense forces.1011121314151617181920212223

High-Power Microwave system

DRDO is testing microwave-based directed-energy weapons for counter-drone applications, with ongoing trials expanding operational range.171824

Indigenisation efforts

DRDO enables indigenisation of defense equipment and technologies, collaborating across sectors, and has licensed its innovations for industry use.25

Armaments

DRDO develops and supports indigenous armaments, including small arms and rifles such as the INSAS, in collaboration with state-owned organizations.2627282930

Body armour

DRDO developed lightweight bulletproof vests with increased protection levels for the Indian Army.3132

Bulletproof vest
Bulletproof vest DRDO (GODL-India)

DMSRDE Bullet Proof Jacket (BIS Threat Level 6)

A lightweight bulletproof jacket meeting BIS level 6 standards for high-level ballistic threats was developed by DRDO.33

ABHED jackets

ABHED bulletproof jackets are lightweight and modular, providing 360-degree protection against high-level ballistic threats.3435

Clothing

DRDO developed extreme weather protective clothing for the armed forces, effective up to minus 50°C.36

Small arms

DRDO has developed the INSAS rifle and other small arms for Indian forces, including carbines and less-lethal weapons.373839

ASMI
ASMI DRDO (GODL-India)
INSAS rifle
INSAS rifle Advanced Weapons and Equipment India (GODL-India)
Modern Sub Machine Carbine
Modern Sub Machine Carbine Abhiak47 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Amogh carbine (top) and Excalibur (bottom)
Amogh carbine (top) and Excalibur (bottom) Supradip01 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
INSAS Light Machine Gun (LMG)
INSAS Light Machine Gun (LMG) Supradip01 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Man-portable ATGM launcher

DRDO created a lightweight, reusable anti-tank missile launcher for the Indian Army.40

Explosives

DRDO develops various explosives for defense applications.

Chemical Kit for Detection of Explosives (CKDE)

A low-cost kit by DRDO allows field detection of explosives for security forces.

Explosive Detection Kit (EDK)

DRDO's Explosive Detection Kit is used for identification of explosives and is also produced internationally.4142

RaIDer-X

RaIDer-X is a standoff explosive detection device developed using advanced spectroscopy.4344

Indian CL-20 explosive

Indian CL-20 is a powerful and safer high explosive developed by DRDO, potentially replacing older compounds.45

Artillery systems and ammunition

DRDO produced indigenous artillery and rocket systems like Pinaka, tactical rockets, mortars, field guns, and ammunition for all Indian forces.464748495051525354

Pinaka rocket tested on 4 November 2020
Pinaka rocket tested on 4 November 2020 Ministry of Defence (GODL-India)

Tank armament

DRDO developed the Arjun tank gun and upgrades for Indian armored fighting vehicles.

Electronics and computer sciences

DRDO undertakes electronics, computer science, and IT projects for defense applications.

Electronic warfare

DRDO develops integrated electronic warfare systems for communication and radar jamming, including the Samyukta and Safari systems.555657

EW systems for the Air Force

DRDO provides radar warning receivers, jammers, and electronic warfare suites for Indian Air Force aircraft.58

Radars

DRDO designs and produces a range of indigenous radars, including strategic, surveillance, and fire-control systems.

Army

DRDO provides the Army with indigenous surveillance, fire control, and battlefield radars for air defense and artillery roles.

Air Force

DRDO supplies Air Force with advanced phased array, surveillance, and airborne radars for air defense and early warning roles.

Navy

DRDO develops maritime, airborne, and battlefield radars for the Navy, including Indigenous Doppler Radars, shipborne surveillance, and fire-control radars.596061626364656667686970717273

Rajendra fire control radar at Adamya Chaitanya Exhibition 2016
Rajendra fire control radar at Adamya Chaitanya Exhibition 2016 Udayblr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Battlefield Surveillance Radar-Short Range (BFSR-SR) on display at Aero India-2007.
Battlefield Surveillance Radar-Short Range (BFSR-SR) on display at Aero India-2007. Arun Vishwakarma, Webmaster, www.Bharat-Rakshak.com (en). Uploaded by User:Sniperz11 (CC BY 2.5 in)
BEL Weapon Locating Radar (Swathi) passes on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day Parade 2018.
BEL Weapon Locating Radar (Swathi) passes on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day Parade 2018. Ministry of Defence (GODL-India)

Command and control software and decision-making tools

DRDO develops C3I software, wargaming tools, battle management, and simulation systems for Indian military operations.

Computing technologies

DRDO develops high-speed computing, supercomputers, and specialized processors for defense research and operations.7475

Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC)

DRDO's LASTEC develops directed energy weapons including laser-based systems for missile defense, counter-drone operations, and non-lethal applications.7677

Directed Energy Weapons (DEW)

DRDO is developing various directed energy weapon systems, including lasers and electromagnetic weapons, for ground, air, and naval platforms.7879

DURGA II

DURGA II is a classified program to develop a 100 kW directed energy weapon.8079

Quantum communication

DRDO demonstrated quantum key distribution and secure quantum communication over optical fiber and free space, advancing quantum cybersecurity techniques.818283

Combat vehicles & engineering

DRDO develops a range of combat and engineering vehicles for the armed forces.

Tanks and armoured vehicles

DRDO upgraded T-72 and developed the Arjun tank, modernizing India's armored vehicle fleet with indigenous systems and ammunition.8485868788

T-72 Ajeya of the Indian Army
T-72 Ajeya of the Indian Army Vivek Patankar (CC BY 2.0)
Arjun MBT Mark 1A
Arjun MBT Mark 1A w:Defence Research and Development Organisation (GODL-India)

Modification of BMP-2 series

DRDO developed specialized BMP-2 variants for engineering, reconnaissance, and support roles in the Indian Army.8990

Other engineering vehicles

DRDO builds bridge layers, decontamination vehicles, ROVs, and support equipment for military engineering operations.919293949596

In development

DRDO is developing next-generation infantry fighting vehicles and advanced armored support equipment.

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