Projects of DRDO


This article consists of projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Aeronautics

The Defence Research and Development Organisation is responsible for the ongoing HAL Tejas programme. The LCA is intended to provide the Indian Air Force with a modern, fly by wire, multi-role fighter, as well as develop the aviation industry in India. The LCA programme has allowed DRDO to progress substantially in the fields of avionics, flight control systems, aircraft propulsion and composite structures, along with aircraft design and development.
  • The DRDO provided key avionics for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI programme under the "Vetrivel" programme. Systems developed by DRDO include radar warning receivers, radar and display computers. DRDO's radar computers, manufactured by HAL are also being fitted into Malaysian Su-30s.
  • The DRDO is part of the Indian Air Force's upgrade programmes for its Sepecat Jaguar combat aircraft, along with the manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. DRDO and HAL have been responsible for the system design and integration of these upgrades, which combine indigenously developed systems along with imported ones. DRDO contributed subsystems like the Tarang radar warning receiver, Tempest jammer, core avionics computers, brake parachutes, cockpit instrumentation and displays.
  • HAL AMCA: Aeronautical Development Agency of DRDO is responsible for the design and development of the fifth-generation aircraft. In 2015, 700 ADA employees were working on the project along with 2,000 employees of DRDO.
  • Avatar is a concept study for a robotic single-stage reusable spaceplane capable of horizontal takeoff and landing. The mission concept is for low cost military and commercial satellite space launches.

    Fighter Aircraft Escape System

On 2 December 2025, DRDO completed a successful high-speed rocket-sled test of Fighter Aircraft Escape System at controlled velocity. A dual-sled system with the HAL Tejas aircraft forebody was propelled to precisely regulated velocity of 800 km/h using phased discharge of dual solid propellant rocket motors. The canopy fragilisation pattern, ejection sequence and whole aircrew recovery process was simulated using an instrumented crash test dummy, which recorded crucial loads, moments, and accelerations that would be experienced by ejected pilots. Onboard and ground-based imaging equipment recorded the entire sequence.
The Dynamic Ejection Test examined ejection seat performance, and efficacy of canopy severance mechanism in real time. The canopy severance mechanism, ejection sequencing, and full pilot recovery were confirmed by the test conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled Facility of Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory. The test was undertaken in partnership with Aeronautical Development Agency, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It is being developed for future aircraft, including the Tejas Mk2, AMCA, and TEDBF. In addition to giving Indian Air Force and domestic industry partners more control over integration and modifications, it will assist reduce long-term procurement costs.

Electronic countermeasure

Jodhpur in collaboration with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory developed an improved chaff material and chaff cartridge-118/I for the Indian Air Force to protect Indian military aircraft from radar jamming and deception.

Other Hindustan Aeronautics programmes

Apart from the aforementioned upgrades, DRDO has also assisted Hindustan Aeronautics with its programmes. These include the HAL Dhruv helicopter and the HAL HJT-36. Over a hundred LRU 's in the HJT-36 have come directly from the LCA programme. Other duties have included assisting the Indian Air Force with indigenisation of spares and equipment. These include both mandatory as well as other items.

Unmanned aerial vehicles

The DRDO has also developed two unmanned aerial vehicles – the Nishant tactical UAV and the Lakshya Pilotless Target Aircraft. The Lakshya PTA has been ordered by all three services for their gunnery target training requirements. Efforts are on to develop the PTA further, with an improved all digital flight control system, and a better turbojet engine. The Nishant is a hydraulically launched short-ranged UAV for the tactical battle area. It is currently being evaluated by the Indian Navy and the Indian Paramilitary forces as well.
The DRDO is also going ahead with its plans to develop a new class of UAVs. These draw upon the experience gained via the Nishant programme, and will be substantially more capable. Referred to by the HALE and MALE designations. The MALE UAV has been tentatively named the Rustom, and will feature canards and carry a range of payloads, including optronic, radar, laser designators and ESM. The UAV will have conventional landing and take off capability. The HALE UAV will have features such as SATCOM links, allowing it to be commanded beyond line of sight. Other tentative plans speak of converting the LCA into a UCAV, and weaponising UAVs.
Ghatak, previously known as Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft is a stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle of flying-wing concept powered by dry Kaveri engine variant. It is designed and developed for the Indian Air Force that will be capable of releasing missiles, bombs and precision-guided munitions from its internal weapons bay.
Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT)
A precursor project under active development to test various technologies for DRDO Ghatak and future unmanned wingman bomber program.

Anti-drone warfare

Integrated Drone Detection & Interdiction System

DRDO has been developing a series of laser-based directed-energy weapons since 2013. The Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences and the Laser Science and Technology Centre are two of the developing agencies of the DRDO project. DRDO's first such weapon, belonging to a 1 kW class, was tested in 2017. Thereafter, multiple developments have been undertaken with progressive variants under Integrated Drone Detection & Interdiction System. The variants named Mk-I, Mk-II and Mk-IIA has a power output capacity of 2 kW, 10–12 kW and 30 kW and a range of, and, respectively. The latest variant, Mk-IIA, also called Sahastra Shakti, was tested successfully on 13 April 2025. As of then, DRDO is also developing laser-DEW systems of a 50–100 kW range along with microwave-based DEW under its revised short, medium and long-term goals.
In March 2024, the Indian Army's Corps of Army Air Defence had inducted the first lot of seven IDD&IS into service. India has reportedly placed an order for 23 such systems for. Further nine were to be ordered as of April 2025. Earlier, during the same month, it was reported that the Indian Army's IDD&IS Mk 1 had intercepted a Chinese origin, Pakistan Army-operated drone in the area of responsibility of the XVI Corps, southwards of the Pir Panjal Range.
On 29 December 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council, functioning under the Ministry of Defence and the chairmanship of the defence minister, Rajnath Singh, cleared the procurement of IDD&IS Mk-II for the Indian Army. Earlier, reports in November 2025, indicated Indian Army and Indian Air Force's bid to initially induct 16 IDD&IS Mk-II systems.

High-Power Microwave system

The project to develop a microwave-based DEW for counter-UAS roles commenced in 2019 and the development was underway as of April 2025.
DRDO's Bengaluru-based Microwave Tube Research and Development Centre unveiled a model of its High-Power Microwave system during the 2026 International Conference on Electronic Warfare organised by the India chapter of the Association of Old Crows. The conference was held between 20 and 22 January. The prototype is reportedly in trials and testing phase during which the system has already disabled a small quadcopter, commercial, DJI Phantom-class UAVs up to a range of. The goal of maximum range for the existing version is. The testing phase is expected to conclude by June 2026. The HPM system operates in the S-band frequency. The maximum power output is with a pulse width of and single-shot pulse repetition frequency of 50 Hz or 500 Hz.

Indigenisation efforts

DRDO has been responsible for the indigenisation of key defence stores and equipment. DRDO has assisted Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the IAF with the indigenisation of spares and assemblies for several aircraft. DRDO laboratories have worked in coordination with academic institutes, the CSIR and even ISRO over projects required for the Indian Air Force and its sister services. DRDO's infrastructure is also utilised by other research organisations in India. In the first ever initiative of its kind, DRDO has provided its patented Copper-Titanium alloy technology for commercial exploitation to a start-up company. The agreement between DRDO and Pahwa Metal Tech Pvt Ltd was signed on the sidelines of the Start Up India event at Delhi.

Armaments

DRDO cooperates with the state-owned Public Sector Undertakings for producing its items. These have led to issues of marginal quality control for some items, and time-consuming rectification. Whilst these are common to the introduction of most new weapons systems, the OFB has had issues with maintaining the requisite schedule and quality of manufacture owing to their own structural problems and lack of modernisation. The DRDO has played a vital role in the development of this ability since the role of private organisations in the development of small arms and similar items has been limited. A significant point in case is the INSAS rifle which has been adopted by the Indian Army as its standard battle rifle and is in extensive service. There have been issues with rifle quality in use under extreme conditions in the heat, with the OFB stating that it will rectify these troubles with higher grade material and strengthening the unit. Prior troubles were also dealt with in a similar manner. In the meantime, the rifle has found favour throughout the army and has been ordered in number by other paramilitary units and police forces.
In recent years, India's booming economy has allowed the OFB to modernise with more state funding coming its way, to the tune of 400 million invested during 2002–07. The organisation hopes that this will allow it to modernise its infrastructure; it has also begun introducing new items, including a variant of the AK-47 rifles.
The DRDO's various projects are: