Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Defence Secretary Urges DRDO to Cut Projects, Expand Industry Role
Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh wants DRDO to work on fewer projects.
DRDO is currently working on 37 projects, but he suggested focusing on about 10.
These projects would involve advanced technologies.
He said companies should take responsibility for making the equipment.
Private companies could also help put missile systems together.
They may also have a larger role in selling defence products to other countries.
The plan is intended to give DRDO a narrower research focus.
It would also expand industry participation in defence production.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh said DRDO should reduce its focus from 37 projects to around 10.
The selected projects should concentrate on cutting-edge technologies.
Singh said industry should take over defence production from DRDO.
He called for a wider role for private firms in missile system integration.
Private companies should also be given a greater role in defence exports.
- Who
- Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- What
- A proposal for DRDO to reduce its projects from 37 to around 10 and for private industry to take a larger role in defence production, missile integration and exports.
- Why
- To narrow DRDO’s focus to cutting-edge technology projects while shifting production and wider industry responsibilities to private firms.
- Speaker
- Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh
- Organisation
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- Current projects
- 37
- Proposed focus
- Around 10 cutting-edge technology projects
- Production role
- Industry would take over defence production
- Private-sector role
- Missile system integration and defence exports