DRDO sanctions 7 new private sector defence projects

NEW DELHI: India’s premier defence research organisation DRDO has awarded seven new projects to private players to develop key military assets, including underwater vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range remotely piloted systems. The projects have been approved under the Ministry of Defence’s Technology Development Fund Scheme to boost domestic defence production.

The underwater unmanned aerial vehicle project aims to develop versatile maritime warfare accessories that can be used in multiple combat roles, officials said. The goal is part of a broader intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and maritime domain awareness (MDA) framework, they said.

The project has been awarded to Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd. Pune, according to the defence ministry. The other projects include development of an ice detection sensor for aircraft, manufacturing of a radar signal processor and long-range remotely operated vehicles for detecting and neutralising underwater objects. The long-range remotely operated vehicles will be dual-use systems that will enable detection, classification, localisation and neutralisation of underwater objects while keeping key assets away from suspected operational areas, the ministry said.

The task was entrusted to the start-up IROV Technologies Pvt Ltd. Kochi. Other projects include development of a radar signal processor with an active antenna array simulator, development of an Indian regional satellite navigation system based on a time acquisition and distribution system, and an indigenous toolkit for scenario and sensor simulation.

The toolkit project includes developing an indigenous system for training pilots on simulators in realistic scenarios. This will help in full mission planning and the engagement of large forces, the ministry said.

The project was awarded to Noida-based startup Oxygen 2 Innovation Pvt Ltd.

“Giving impetus to Aatmanirbharta, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has awarded seven new projects to industries under the Technology Development Fund scheme for various requirements of the armed forces and aerospace and defence sectors,” the ministry said.

“These project sanctions are a testimony to DRDO’s continuous efforts to support sectors, especially SMEs and startups, in the defence and aviation space,” the release said.

“The development of domestic technologies will strengthen the military industry ecosystem,” the statement said.