DRDO technology handover ceremony in New Delhi. (December 5, 2025).
DRDO Technology Handover to Indian Military: New Delhi, India – December 5, 2025: In a significant move towards bolstering India’s indigenous defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has handed over seven advanced technologies to the Indian Armed Forces, developed under its Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme. This transfer of technologies comes at a time when India is pushing for greater self-reliance in defence technologies, in line with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India).
The seven technologies, which span a range of critical military applications, were officially handed over during a meeting of the Empowered Committee of DRDO held on December 2, 2025, at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, with senior representatives from the Armed Forces, Department of Defence Production, and DRDO also in attendance.
The technologies handed over include innovations in areas such as airborne self-protection, naval engineering, underwater sensing, and energy systems. These technologies have been designed, developed, and tested by Indian industry players, with the guidance and collaboration of DRDO domain experts and the Tri-services. The focus of the TDF scheme is clear—import substitution and the development of critical technologies that will strengthen India’s defence sector and reduce reliance on foreign sources.
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A New Era of Self-Reliance in Defence
The seven technologies handed over are:
Indigenous High-Voltage Power Supply for Airborne Self-Protection Jammers: A crucial system designed to protect aircraft from electronic warfare threats by ensuring that self-protection jammers remain operational under a variety of conditions.
A Tide-Efficient Gangway for Naval Jetties: This innovation optimises the operational efficiency of naval jetties, enabling better access and faster operations, which is critical for the Indian Navy’s readiness.
Advanced Very Low Frequency-High Frequency Switching Matrix Systems: These systems facilitate secure and reliable communication, essential for operations in challenging environments, such as deep-sea and mountainous terrain.
VLF Loop Aerials for Underwater Platforms: This technology ensures secure underwater communication for naval platforms, which is vital for submarines and other underwater operations.
Indigenous Waterjet Propulsion System for Fast Interceptor Craft: Designed for rapid-response military craft, this system enhances the speed and manoeuvrability of fast interceptor vessels used by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
A Novel Process for Recovery of Lithium Precursors from Used Lithium-ion Batteries: This environmentally friendly technology focuses on the recycling of lithium-ion batteries, which are crucial for powering a range of defence systems, including drones and electric vehicles.
Long-life Seawater Battery System for Sustained Underwater Sensing and Surveillance: This energy system ensures extended underwater operations for surveillance and sensing equipment, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or battery replacements.
These technologies represent the cutting edge of India’s growing defence research and industrial base, and their handover marks a major step forward in the country’s pursuit of self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
Fostering Collaboration Between Industry and Defence
Each of these innovations is a product of extensive collaboration between the Indian defence establishment and the private sector, with close guidance from DRDO’s experts. This partnership is vital, as it strengthens the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and brings India closer to achieving its goal of reducing dependency on foreign technology.
The TDF scheme was initiated to promote indigenous research and development and to fund projects that can lead to the creation of advanced technologies in areas crucial for national security. The successful completion and transfer of these technologies underscore the importance of the scheme in enhancing the self-sufficiency of India’s defence forces.
During the handover event, Dr. Samir V Kamat reiterated the Government’s commitment to strengthening domestic defence innovation under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. He emphasised that the faster execution of TDF projects will not only help meet the strategic needs of the Armed Forces but also position India as a global leader in defence technology.
Expanding Indigenous Capabilities
The DRDO Empowered Committee, which oversees the TDF programme, also approved 12 new projects spanning strategic, aerospace, naval, and electronic warfare technologies. These new initiatives will build upon the existing foundation laid by the TDF and focus on emerging areas of defence technology, furthering India’s strategic autonomy.
The approval of these 12 new projects underscores the government’s continued focus on fostering domestic capability and reducing reliance on foreign technologies in critical sectors. These projects will include innovations that are expected to significantly enhance India’s military capabilities, particularly in areas such as electronic warfare, aerospace engineering, and naval defence technologies.
The Empowered Committee discussed various approaches for expediting the end-to-end processing of TDF projects to ensure that these developments are aligned with the evolving technological requirements of the Armed Forces. The committee also explored ways to streamline the acquisition process for developed technologies to ensure quicker integration and operational deployment.
Streamlining Acquisition and Deployment
As part of the meeting, the committee deliberated on the need for policy alignment and enabling mechanisms to accelerate the induction of technologies developed under the TDF scheme. The discussions focused on creating a smoother transition from technology development to operational deployment, ensuring that the Armed Forces can quickly incorporate these innovations into their systems.
Dr. Kamat emphasised the importance of a well-coordinated approach between DRDO, the Ministry of Defence, and the industry to ensure that technologies developed under the TDF programme can be swiftly deployed to enhance national security. He also highlighted the importance of continuing to focus on areas of critical technological development that will ensure India’s defence forces remain at the forefront of military capability.
A New Chapter for Defence Innovation
The handover of these seven technologies and the approval of 12 new projects demonstrate India’s growing strength in defence innovation and indigenous manufacturing. By leveraging the capabilities of the private sector, the DRDO’s expertise, and the needs of the Armed Forces, India is building a solid foundation for a self-reliant defence sector.
The TDF scheme is a powerful tool in this process, fostering collaboration between industry and defence researchers and ensuring that India’s military capabilities continue to evolve in line with global technological advancements. As India moves forward on its journey towards a fully self-sufficient defence ecosystem, the success of the TDF programme will be critical in realising the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat—a nation that is capable of defending its borders with its own cutting-edge technologies.
