DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat at Foundation Day (Photo: DRDO)
New Delhi: As the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) marked its 68th Foundation Day on Thursday, it signed 11 major defence acquisition contracts worth ₹26,000 crore in 2025, providing a significant boost to India’s indigenous defence manufacturing and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The systems, include ATAGS, Nag Missile System, Ashwini Radar, Pinaka ammunition, Electronic Warfare systems, and more.
On the occasion, the defence minister, Rajnath Singh and his deputy Sanjay Seth visited the DRDO Headquarters and reviewed their achievements in 2025 along with its roadmap for 2026.
Addressing the DRDO fraternity at DRDO Bhawan, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat highlighted that DRDO’s dedicated efforts have given a quantum leap to India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision, while also acting as a strong catalyst for the growth of the domestic defence manufacturing industry.
He urged scientists to focus on next-generation technologies such as cyber security, space systems, and artificial intelligence.
Historic Milestones in 2025
Dr Kamat announced that 22 Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) approvals worth approximately ₹1.30 lakh crore were accorded in 2025 – the highest ever in a single year. These systems will be manufactured by Indian industries, further boosting indigenous defence production.
Notable systems receiving AoN include:
- Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS)
- Astra Mk-II Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile
- Long Range Air-to-Surface Supersonic Cruise Missile (LRASSCM)
- Integrated Drone Detection & Interdiction System (IDDIS) Mk-II
- AEW&C Mk-1A and Mountain Radars
- LCA Mk-1A Full Mission Simulator
Major Contracts and Inductions
DRDO signed 11 acquisition contracts worth ₹26,000 crore with production partners for key systems such as Nag Missile System, Ashwini Low Level Transportable Radar, Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR), Electronic Warfare Suite for Mi-17 V5 Helicopter, Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 and High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-I (Enhanced) for the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System, Infantry Foot Bridge Floating, Wargaming System, and Automatic Chemical Agent Detector & Alarm (ACADA) and Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).
Read also: DRDO successfully conducts maiden flight test of Pinaka long-range guided rocket
Several DRDO-developed products were also inducted into the Central Armed Police Forces, Police, and National Disaster Response Force during the year.
Successful Trials and Future-Ready Systems
User evaluation trials for multiple advanced systems—including Pralay missile, Akash NG, Pinaka ER rockets, MPATGM, and Border Surveillance Systems were completed or reached final stages.
Read also: DRDO successfully conducts user trials of Akash-NG air defence missile
Many other cutting-edge systems are progressing successfully through development trials and are expected to be ready for induction soon.
Strong Industry & Academia Collaboration
DRDO continued to deepen its partnership with industry by transferring technologies through 2,201 Licensing Agreements, including 245 signed in 2025 alone.
Over 4,000 industrial tests were conducted at DRDO facilities last year. Additionally, 15 Industry-Academia Centres of Excellence are driving innovation, with 341 sanctioned research projects worth ₹1,218 crore, engaging researchers from across the country.
Looking Ahead
Expressing confidence in the year ahead, Dr Kamat stated that most systems under trials are expected to be accepted by users in 2026, paving the way for rapid induction.
