Record Indigenous Defence Approvals in 2025
Addressing scientists and staff, Dr Kamat highlighted that 22 AoNs have been approved by the Defence Acquisition Council and the Services Procurement Board. These approvals cover advanced defence platforms to be manufactured by Indian industries, reinforcing the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision promoted by the Prime Minister.
Key systems approved include the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System, Conventional Ballistic Missile System, Long Range Air-to-Surface Supersonic Cruise Missile, Astra Mk-II Beyond Visual Range Missile, Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mk-II, and Airborne Early Warning & Control Mk-1A.
₹26,000 Crore Worth Defence Contracts Signed
DRDO also signed 11 major acquisition contracts valued at nearly ₹26,000 crore with Indian production partners. These contracts include systems such as the Nag Missile System, Ashwini Low-Level Transportable Radar, Electronic Warfare Suites for Mi-17 helicopters, Area Denial Munitions, and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).
Several DRDO-developed products were also inducted into the Central Armed Police Forces, police organisations, and the National Disaster Response Force during the year.
Focus on Next-Generation Warfare Technologies
Dr Kamat urged scientists to intensify research in emerging domains such as cyber security, space technologies, artificial intelligence, and electronic warfare. He emphasised that collaborative efforts across the defence ecosystem are essential to counter evolving security challenges.
User evaluation trials for systems like Pralay missile, Akash NG, Pinaka rockets, MPATGM, Border Surveillance Systems, and Software Defined Radios were either completed or nearing completion in 2025.
Industry, Academia and Technology Transfers
DRDO’s partnership with Indian industry reached new heights in 2025. A total of 2,201 licensing agreements for Transfer of Technology have been issued so far, including 245 signed during the year. Additionally, 13 new Development-cum-Production Partner projects were approved.
DRDO opened its testing infrastructure to private players, conducting over 4,000 tests for industries and DPSUs. Fifteen Industry Academia Centres of Excellence continue to drive translational research across strategic domains.
