DRDO signs first high-value deep-tech deal under ₹500-crore fund for quantum refrigerator
New Delhi, Sep 24. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed its first high-value deep-tech project agreement under a newly established ₹500-crore corpus to support cutting-edge technologies, partnering with Rajasthan-based startup Zero mK India Pvt Ltd to develop an indigenous ultra-low-temperature refrigeration system for quantum applications.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi between the Director of DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF) and representatives of Zero mK India, Alwar, for the collaborative development of a 20 millikelvin (mK) dilution refrigerator.
The project is the first high-value agreement under the ₹500-crore corpus approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for deep-tech and emerging technology projects.
Dilution refrigerators are specialised cryogenic systems designed to generate temperatures in the millikelvin range. Such ultra-low temperatures are essential for the operation and testing of several quantum computing platforms and other quantum technologies.
The indigenous development of a 20 mK-class dilution refrigerator is expected to strengthen India’s capabilities in advanced cryogenics and quantum technologies while supporting the objectives of the National Quantum Mission.
The project is also aimed at reducing India’s dependence on imported cryogenic infrastructure and building a domestic ecosystem for quantum technology and other strategic applications.
Singh congratulated DRDO, the industry partner and other stakeholders involved in the project, and said the collaboration could provide a model for future DRDO-industry partnerships in emerging technology domains.
Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the teams and wished them success in achieving the project objectives.
Senior DRDO officials, including the Director General of Micro Electronic Devices & Computational System and Cyber Security, the Director General of Technology Management and the Director of the Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), were present during the signing.
The project will be monitored and mentored by the Director of SSPL and his team.
