DRDO approves seven technologies for private sector development

The Defence Ministry on Thursday said the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has approved seven new projects for the private sector under the Technology Development Fund scheme, which aims to support industries, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups.

As stated in the Ministry’s statement, the domestic development of these technologies will strengthen the military industry ecosystem.

These technologies include underwater-launched unmanned aerial vehicles (ULUAVs); development of a time-based data collection and dissemination system based on the Indian regional navigation satellite system; remotely operated long-range vehicles for detection and neutralization; development of an ice detection sensor for aircraft; development of graphene-based smart and electronic textiles for multi-functional wearable applications; development of a radar signal processor with an active antenna array simulator; and a toolkit for scenario and sensor simulation.

A statement on the development of the ULUAV said the project is for a “versatile naval battlefield accessory” that can be used in multiple combat roles. “The objective is Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and maritime domain awareness. The project has been awarded to Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Pune,” it said.