Electronics & Semiconductor Manufacturing: DRDO’s systems-first pathway to self-reliance

By R Anil Kumar

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing a first-of-its-kind technology approach: design and realisation of indigenous electronics—radars, seekers, avionics, EW, underwater sensors—and their integration into complete weapon and surveillance systems.

Bengaluru, October 29, 2025. Across labs as well as battlefields, India’s defence electronics story is moving from prototypes to proven systems. Indigenous sensors track threats at long range; seekers and radars guide precision weapons; Electronic Warfare (EW) suites protect naval fleets to fighter aircraft; and directed-energy solutions deter aerial intrusions. The result is visible on the front line—from air defence and electronic warfare to undersea surveillance—where Indian-built electronics are now integral to combat credibility and sovereign supply chains.

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing a first-of-its-kind technology approach: design and realisation of indigenous electronics—radars, seekers, avionics, EW, underwater sensors—and their integration into complete weapon and surveillance systems.

This includes mission-mode programmes, user-linked trials, and concurrent production partnerships with industry. DRDO’s leadership has articulated a clear emphasis on self-reliant design, rigorous trials, and time-bound handover to Services, with industry scale-up through Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPP) and Transfer of Technology (ToT). (As reflected across the Organisation’s achievements and ecosystem initiatives).

DRDO ACHIEVEMENT 11 YEARS

“Indigenous defence electronics—sensors, seekers, radars and EW—are central to credible deterrence and supply-chain sovereignty. Our focus remains rigorous trials, user readiness and industry scale-up so that Indian systems equip Indian platforms at pace,” said Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman, DRDO, Speaking to R. Anil Kumar.

Electronic warfare and radar. The ‘Shakti’ ship-borne advanced Electronic Warfare system was handed over to the Indian Navy (Nov 2021), strengthening fleet survivability. Long-range surveillance has advanced with indigenous active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, Long Range Radar (LRR), Over the Horizon Radar and a VHF Surveillance Radar on a high-mobility platform. Medium Range Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rockets (MR-MOCR) add RF deception.

Missile systems with indigenous electronics. Surface to Air Missile Akash-NG (Jan 2024), Surface to Surface Missile Pralay (Nov 2023), Air to Air Missile Astra (handed over in 2020; further trial on 12 Mar 2025 engaging targets at longer distances), Air to Surface Missile Rudram-I captive trials (2023) and Rudram-III subsystem realisations (2023) underline guidance, seekers and avionics maturity. Vertically Launched Short Range Surface to Air Missile VL-SRSAM (July 2023) and Very Short-range Air Defence System VSHORADS (multiple successful trials incl. Oct 2024 and 1 Feb 2025) extend layered air defence with compact, miniaturised electronics.

Space security. Mission Shakti (27 Mar 2019) validated hit-to-kill interception in Low Earth Orbit, demonstrating integrated sensors, guidance and fire-control electronics.

Naval Warfare. Long Range Antiship Missile LRAShM (16 Nov 2024) and Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile LR-LACM progressed precision strike at far off distances.

Varunastra, heavy-weight torpedo (live warhead test, 5 Jun 2023) and Missile Assisted release of Torpedo SMART (1 May 2024) validated indigenous sensing, guidance and communication electronics for anti-submarine warfare.

High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle HEAUV achieved its maiden surface run in 2024, bringing autonomous underwater electronics and endurance together for surveillance and mapping. Naval Anti-Ship Missile NASM (25 Feb 2025) successfully demonstrated capability from an aerial platform.

Armoured Vehicles and Aerial Platforms. Main Battle Tank Arjun Mk-IA (handed over Feb 2021) integrates upgraded fire-control and sighting electronics; the Anti- Tank Guided Missile ATGM for Arjun Mk-IA completed trials in Nov 2023.

Indian Light Tank carried out preliminary automotive trials in Sep and Dec 2024. The Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) with Onboard Oxygen Generation OBOGS for Light Combat Aircraft LCA Tejas completed flight testing (4 Mar 2025), reinforcing avionics-life support integration.

Counter-UAS and directed energy. The D4 (Drone Detect Deter & Destroy) anti-drone system (Directed Energy Weapon DEW-based) is being deployed at national events during past few years. On 13 Apr 2025, India showcased a 30-kW laser weapon defeating fixed-wing UAVs and swarm drones—marking an indigenous milestone in high-energy laser tracking, beam control and kill assessment electronics.

Propulsion-linked electronics and enabling technologies. Breakthroughs include a long-duration active-cooled scramjet combustor, small turbofan engine for cruise missiles, Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet SFDR for long-range Air to Air missiles and Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) for submarines—each dependent on robust control, health monitoring and sensor electronics. A Quantum Key Distribution link was demonstrated over 100 km between Prayagraj and Vindhyachal (2022), underpinning secure communications.

Ecosystem for scale. To speed industry participation, DRDO has: identified 108 and 75 systems/sub-systems for industry-led development; onboarded 136 Development-cum-Production Partners; signed 2,135 ToT agreements; opened 2,780+ IPRs (2022 policy) to Indian industry; advanced Technology Development Fund TDF with 81 projects worth Rs 324 crore; and funded 281 projects across 52 institutes via 15 DRDO Industry-Academia Centres of Excellence (Rs 1,095 crore). Five DRDO Young Scientist Labs DYSLs are driving AI, quantum, cognitive, asymmetric technologies and smart materials.

At ESTIC-2025, the Electronics & Semiconductor Manufacturing theme for defence will concentrate on translation and scale-up: maturing indigenous sensors, seekers, AESA radars, EW suites, on-board processors, power electronics and secure communications from successful trials to sustained production; deepening DcPP/ToT pipelines so that MSMEs and start-ups localise critical sub-assemblies; and advancing test, qualification and environmental standards to ensure reliability in extreme conditions across air, land, sea and space.

Priorities dovetail with recently sanctioned programmes, including next-generation Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (KUSHA), Airborne Early Warning and Control AEW&C Mk-II, Fifth generation Stealth Fighter Aircraft AMCA, indigenous AIP for submarines, and a space-based ELINT—each dependent on high-reliability electronics and strategic components.

The delivery approach remains executional—technology by technology, project by project—so that Indian electronics equip Indian platforms on predictable schedules.

This aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047 by coupling pioneering innovation (e.g., DEW, Quantum Key Distribution QKD, autonomous underwater systems) with technology depth (radars, EW, seekers) and empowerment of the domestic ecosystem through open IPR, ToT and TDF. The objective is clear: mission-proven systems, sovereign supply chains and sustained industry capacity in electronics for defence.