Archive · 26 Jan 2026
DRDO Develops Portable Seawater Desalination System
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in India has created a special device called SWaDeS.
This device can turn seawater into clean drinking water.
It is small and easy to carry, making it perfect for soldiers who are far away from towns or cities.
There are two types of SWaDeS: one that you operate by hand and another that uses a small engine.
Both can make seawater safe to drink quickly.
This invention is not just for the military; it can also help people in places where clean water is hard to find, like islands or after natural disasters.
It shows how smart ideas can solve big problems, like making sure everyone has access to clean water.
DRDO unveiled the Sea Water Desalination System (SWaDeS) in early January 2026.
SWaDeS is a portable, hand-operated purifier designed for military use in remote areas.
The system has two variants: a manual, hand-operated unit and an engine-operated version.
The engine-operated version can reduce salinity from 35,000 mg/L to below 500 mg/L TDS.
SWaDeS can be used in various terrains, including coastal bases, deserts, and high-altitude lakes.
- Who
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- What
- Developed a portable seawater desalination system (SWaDeS)
- When
- Early January 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To provide clean drinking water for troops in remote and coastal areas
- Organization
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- System Name
- Sea Water Desalination System (SWaDeS)
- Unveiling Date
- Early January 2026
- Variants
- Manual and Engine-operated
- Capacity (Manual)
- 10-12 individuals
- Capacity (Engine-operated)
- 20-25 personnel per day
- Salinity Reduction
- From 35,000 mg/L to below 500 mg/L TDS
- Setup Time (Engine-operated)
- 2-3 minutes