Boosting Self-Reliance: DRDO Hands Over 7 Key Technologies to Armed Forces

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has officially handed over seven advanced technologies developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) to the three Services of India—Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Among the technologies transferred are:

• An indigenous high‑voltage power supply for airborne self‑protection jammers (for aircraft). 

• A tide‑efficient gangway for naval jetties. Advanced very‑low‑frequency/high‑frequency switching matrix systems and VLF‑loop aerials for underwater platforms—enhancing underwater communication, sensing, and surveillance.

• An indigenous water‑jet propulsion system for fast interceptor craft (naval surface vessels). 

• A novel process to recover lithium precursors from used lithium-ion batteries, supporting sustainability and resource reuse. A long‑life seawater battery system for sustained underwater sensing and surveillance applications—improving endurance for underwater platforms.

These technologies were designed, developed, and “extensively tested” by Indian industry in collaboration with DRDO’s domain experts and the tri-services—underscoring the scheme’s focus on import substitution and building critical defense‑technology capability indigenously.

In the same meeting, the DRDO’s Empowered Committee cleared 12 new projects spanning strategic, aerospace, naval, and electronic‑warfare domains—signaling continued momentum in India’s drive for self-reliant defense capabilities under the “Make in India” umbrella. 

Why this matters: These handovers mark a tangible step in reducing dependence on foreign military imports—enhancing India’s defense readiness with homegrown, battle‑ready tech across air, sea, and sub‑sea platforms. The broad range of technologies, from underwater batteries to airborne jammers to naval craft propulsion, reflects growing self-reliance and versatility in procurement and defense innovation.