Defence Research and Development Organisation

The Defence Research and Development Organisation, or DRDO, is India's principal government organisation for military research and development. Its institutional mandate is to advance technological self-reliance by developing indigenous technologies, systems and equipment that enhance the combat effectiveness of the armed forces.

Institutional position

Established in 1958, DRDO is the research and development wing of the Ministry of Defence. It functions under the Department of Defence Research and Development, which provides the governmental framework for defence science, technology development and related policy advice.

Core research and development mandate

• DRDO undertakes research in critical defence technologies and develops weapons, sensors, platforms, materials and support systems for military use.
• It converts operational requirements into designs, prototypes and integrated systems, followed by developmental testing and support for user evaluation.
• It develops technologies for soldier protection, performance and well-being through research in life sciences and related disciplines.
• It supports improvements, upgrades and technical solutions for defence systems during their service life.

From technology development to induction

DRDO links government laboratories with the armed forces, academia and industry to move technologies from research to operational use.

• It transfers proven technologies to public and private production agencies through technology transfer arrangements.
• Its principal role is research, design and development; serial manufacture is normally undertaken by designated production agencies.
• It provides technical support during production, trials, induction and subsequent upgrading of indigenous systems.