Archive · 16 Sep 2026
New DRDO Initiatives Open Defence R&D To MSMEs
India wants more small companies and start-ups to help build defence technology.
The new DRDO initiatives are meant to make it easier for them to join defence projects.
They may receive funding, incubation support and access to DRDO testing facilities.
This could help firms that have good ideas but lack money, equipment or certifications.
Special attention will go to areas such as drones, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Companies will also get a safer, standardised way to use some DRDO software source codes.
Nine technology-transfer agreements will help manufacturing partners produce advanced defence systems.
The government hopes this teamwork will make India more self-reliant and improve its defence exports.
DRDO will offer MSMEs and start-ups funding, incubation support and access to testing facilities.
Deep-tech firms in AI, drones, cybersecurity, quantum technology, hypersonics and directed energy are being prioritised.
A secure framework will allow licensee industries to access and update DRDO-developed software source codes.
Nine technology-transfer agreements were handed to 13 manufacturing partners for commercial production of defence systems.
The initiatives aim to expand industry collaboration across research, design, testing, certification and manufacturing.
- Who
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation, MSMEs, deep-tech start-ups, private manufacturers and the Defence Ministry, led at the event by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
- What
- A package of initiatives was launched to reduce entry barriers and expand smaller companies’ participation in defence research, development and manufacturing.
- When
- September 15, 2026.
- Where
- The DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet VIMARSH 2026 in New Delhi.
- Why
- To strengthen indigenous defence capabilities, broaden the defence supply chain and support India’s goal of technological self-reliance by 2047.
- Event
- DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet VIMARSH 2026
- Funding target
- The government has allocated 25% of the defence research and development budget to the private sector.
- Priority technologies
- Artificial intelligence, drones, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, hypersonics and directed-energy systems.
- Technology transfers
- Nine Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology were handed to 13 manufacturing partners.
- Software access
- A secure, standardised framework was launched for sharing DRDO-developed software source codes with licensee industries.
- Manufacturing assessment
- DRDO signed a contract with the Quality Council of India for version 2.0 of the System for Advanced Manufacturing Assessment and Rating, or SAMAR.
- Existing technology transfers
- More than 2,300 technology transfers have reportedly been handed to over 1,100 industries.