Hyderabad, June 13. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 12 inaugurated the Advanced Weapon System Complex at the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) within the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, asserting that the performance of indigenous missile systems during Operation Sindoor demonstrated the growing strength of India’s defence research ecosystem.
Addressing scientists and officials, Singh praised the Missile Systems and Strategic Systems Cluster of DRDO for its role in strengthening India’s technological capabilities, strategic autonomy and national security. He said indigenous systems such as the Akash air defence missile and BrahMos cruise missile had established India’s ability to compete in the global defence technology landscape.
“Strength is essential for peace, and self-reliance is the strongest foundation for that strength,” the Defence Minister said, describing DRDO as a key driver of the country’s defence modernisation.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Singh said India’s air defence network had effectively neutralised aerial threats and frustrated hostile intentions. Drawing lessons from ongoing conflicts in West Asia, he reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a multi-layered missile shield under ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address in 2025.
According to Singh, the proposed three-tier missile defence architecture will be designed to safeguard military facilities, critical infrastructure and civilian assets while ensuring minimal disruption to citizens. He said the system would provide a robust protective umbrella and retain the capability to deliver a decisive response when required.
The Defence Minister noted that emerging technologies such as precision-strike systems, integrated air defences, hypersonic weapons, autonomous platforms, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and advanced sensors were transforming the character of warfare. Against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions and shifting global alignments, he stressed the need for India to strengthen both “resilience” and “deterrence”.
He said resilience would enable the country to absorb shocks and recover quickly, while deterrence would ensure that adversaries remained aware of India’s ability to retaliate effectively. Singh credited DRDO with reinforcing both capabilities and instilling confidence in the nation’s preparedness.
Describing the inauguration of the new facility as a symbol of India’s commitment to remaining vigilant, capable and self-reliant, Singh lauded DRDO’s efforts to address current operational requirements while simultaneously investing in futuristic technologies.
He pointed to recent successes in indigenous missile development, including advances in strategic and tactical weapon programmes, saying these achievements reflected India’s growing self-confidence and strategic strength.
Emphasising that technological superiority alone does not guarantee success in conflict, Singh said adequate production capacity and timely delivery of systems were equally important. He urged DRDO, the armed forces and industry to function as an integrated ecosystem to accelerate the transition from research and development to mass production and operational deployment.
Calling for production considerations to be incorporated into the development process itself, the Defence Minister stressed the need to shorten development-to-production timelines, simplify manufacturing processes, increase indigenous content and ensure the capability for rapid large-scale production when required.
He also highlighted the measures undertaken over the past 12 years to promote defence research and development in support of the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) initiatives. Enhanced collaboration among DRDO laboratories, defence public sector undertakings, private industry, startups, MSMEs and academia, he said, had transformed the country’s defence ecosystem and would accelerate the journey from innovation to operational capability.
During the visit, Singh also reviewed a technical exhibition featuring advanced weapon systems, cutting-edge defence technologies and indigenous missile platforms developed by DRDO. Director General (Missile and Strategic Systems) U Raja Babu, DRDL Director Ankathi Raju and other senior officials were present at the event.
