DRDO Systems: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved significant milestones in 2024, with many systems completed or nearing the final stages of development and evaluation. This progress was highlighted during an event held at DRDO Bhawan, where Chairman Samir V. Kamat shared updates on the organization’s work over the past year. He also paid tribute to former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, known as the “Missile Man of India,” and released several important documents, including a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Product Development and a compilation of guidelines for DRDO personnel.
According to Moneycontrol, Samir Kamat announced that DRDO had delivered critical systems worth ₹1.10 lakh crore, receiving official approvals for numerous projects. These include advanced air defense radars such as the Air Defence Tactical Control Radar (ADTCR) and the Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR). In the field of missile technology, the Medium Range Anti-ship Missile (MRAshM) and the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile System (LR-LACM) were key developments.
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For the Navy and Coast Guard, the organization has provided SIGINT and COMJAM aircraft, Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft (MRMR), and Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA). Other systems, such as the Joint Venture Protective Carbine (JVPC), Area Denial Munitions for the Pinaka Rocket System, and software-defined radios, were also highlighted as critical contributions to India’s defense capabilities.
Expansion of Facilities and Infrastructure
The chairman discussed the establishment of cutting-edge infrastructure to support research and testing. These include the Defence Technology & Test Centre (DTTC) in Lucknow, a part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, and a unique Land-Based Submarine Battery Test Facility in Visakhapatnam. These facilities, according to Kamat, will enhance DRDO’s development activities and support allied Indian industries.
The DRDO has strengthened its partnerships with Indian industries, startups, and academic institutions. In 2024, the organization transferred over 1,950 technologies to Indian industries, with 256 licensing agreements signed this year. Mission Mode projects saw collaboration with 19 industrial partners, and testing facilities were opened to the private sector. Over 5,000 tests were conducted for private companies and defense public sector undertakings (DPSUs) in 2024 alone. Kamat noted that nine projects were awarded to startups and MSMEs this year, with 29 more approvals expected soon.
DRDO has made remarkable progress in innovation. A green propulsion system, developed under the Technology Development Fund scheme, was successfully tested in orbit during the PSLV C-58 mission. Another significant achievement is the development of an AI-based tool, Divya Drishti, which integrates face recognition with physiological data like gait and skeletal patterns for advanced surveillance. The organization also filed 226 patents in 2024 and was granted over 201 patents, demonstrating its focus on cutting-edge technology.
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Flagship Projects and Future Goals
Samir Kamat expressed satisfaction with two major programs sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security. The Full-Scale Engineering Development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) has been initiated, and a new Missile Test Range will be set up in Nagayalanka, Andhra Pradesh. Kamat emphasized the importance of these projects in shaping India’s defense future.
Looking ahead, he revealed that 80 projects are currently underway, with more in the pipeline. These developments, combined with the organization’s strong collaboration with industries and academia, underscore DRDO’s commitment to innovation and national security.
