To meet emerging threats, DRDO to prioritise 8 niche technology areas this year

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has identified almost 200 military systems to be developed exclusively by the industry, thereby reducing developmental costs and enabling it to focus on larger projects and niche technologies.

This year, eight deep technology areas that are to be given impetus in research and development have been finalised, Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence has revealed in its report presented to Parliament today.

These include:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Cognitive Technology
• Quantum Technology
• Neuromorphic Computing
• Military Cyber Technology
• Advanced Materials
• Compound Semiconductor
• Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Technologies

“Projects are being focused in these areas”, the Ministry of Defence told the committee.

“The DRDO concentrates on the design and development of critical and advanced technologies, as well as complex systems which the industry does not do due to ‘high risk’ and ‘high cost’ factors. This focus aligns with DRDO’s core competencies and ensures that it is at the forefront of cutting-edge defence technology development,” the Ministry, in its action taken reply on the committee’s observations said.

DRDO has started developing products through a number of new mechanisms such as the Technology Development Fund (TDF), Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) and through DRDO-Industry-Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoE).

The committee observed that during the year 2024-25, Rs 23,855.61 crore was allocated, accounting for 5.25 per cent of the current defence budget. The DRDO informed the committee that it has identified 183 exclusive systems for development by the industry, which will not be taken up by DRDO and this will substantially cut expenditure on development of technologies.

DRDO also envisages taking up projects and programmes for development of technologies for large warfare systems, platforms and sensors in future, for which the committee hoped that the budgetary allocation would sufficiently cater to the research and development needs of DRDO. It also expected that the Ministry would provide additional grant at the supplementary stage, if need be, in future.

While viewing that modern warfare applications, platforms and systems have drastically changed due to the introduction of kinetic and non-kinetic hybrid mode, the committee recommended that DRDO should explore new areas of research not only to counter such threats but make the forces ready for such threat perceptions amalgamating the fast changing scenario.