By A Correspondent
Hyderabad (Telangana): India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to integrate production plans into the military technology development process to meet the armed forces’ needs for future wars, while opening a new defence research lab in Hyderabad, Telangana, on Friday (June 12, 2026). Urging DRDO to consider production an integral part of the technology development process, Rajnath Singh underscored the importance of reducing development-to-production timelines, simplifying manufacturing processes, increasing indigenous content, and developing systems that can be rapidly mass-produced for the defence forces when needed.
Stressing the need to equip the defence forces with state-of-the-art systems in sufficient quantity and at the right time to tackle future challenges, he said, “Success in war is not ensured by technological superiority alone; large-scale production capability is equally crucial.” He also appealed to the DRDO, the defence services, and the industry to function as an integrated ecosystem to rapidly transition technologies from development to large-scale production and ensure timely induction.
“DRDO’s responsibility is not limited to merely adapting to technological changes, but also anticipating future needs. It has accepted this challenge with confidence. In recent years, it has achieved numerous milestones in indigenous missile technology. Advanced missile systems have been successfully tested, and continuous progress is being made in strategic and tactical weapon programmes,” the Indian defence minister said. “These achievements are not just technological milestones; they also demonstrate India’s growing self-reliance, self-confidence, and strategic capabilities,” he added.
Underlining the government’s multiple measures to promote R&D over the last 12 years to realise the vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) in defence technologies, he appreciated DRDO’s contribution in this endeavour, highlighting the transformation of the defence ecosystem due to enhanced collaboration among DRDO laboratories, Defence Public Sector Undertakings, private industry, start-ups, MSMEs, and academia.
“This collaborative model will help India accelerate its journey from innovation to production, and from production to operational capability,” he said, expressing the confidence that DRDO would continue to strengthen national capabilities, reduce technological dependence, and enhance the operational effectiveness of the armed forces.
The defence minister also highlighted the importance of possessing “resilience” and “deterrence” to safeguard national security interests in light of the rapidly evolving nature of warfare and global uncertainties. “Precision-strike capabilities, integrated air defence systems, hypersonic weapons, autonomous platforms, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and advanced sensor technologies are redefining the nature of modern warfare,” he said.
“The international order is undergoing a period of tension and transformation, where old assumptions are crumbling, and new alliances and challenges are taking shape. In such an environment, there is a need to possess ‘resilience’ – the capacity to absorb any shock and bounce back; and ‘deterrence’ – the ability to instill fear in the mind of the aggressor that a befitting reply would be given if a hostile eye is cast,” he added.
Highlighting the pivotal role played by air defence during Operation Sindoor in May 2025 against Pakistan, Rajnath Singh said, “When aerial threats loomed over borders, our air defence system completely thwarted the enemy’s intentions.” The vital role of air defence can be witnessed in the conflict zones of West Asia, he recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s commitment to create a multi-level missile defence system through ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’.
“Mission Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Modi during his 2025 Independence Day address, is set to become a multi-level missile defence system of modern India. It will not only protect military installations and critical infrastructure, but also ensure the safety of civil infrastructure and key establishments,” the defence minister said. “The system will possess the capability to deliver a decisive punch whenever needed. Its three-layered protection will ensure minimal inconvenience to citizens and prioritise their safety. It is a system designed to provide a robust protective shield for all assets of vital importance,” he added.
Commending the DRDO’s Missile Systems and Strategic Systems Cluster for its pivotal contributions to India’s technological excellence, strategic autonomy, and national security, Rajnath Sing asserted that the exceptional performance of indigenous missile systems during Operation Sindoor was testimony to the growing strength of India’s defence R&D ecosystem. “The systems developed by DRDO, such as Akash and BrahMos, proved that India possesses the capability to compete in the global defence technology ecosystem. Strength is essential for peace, and self-reliance is the most reliable foundation for that strength. It is a fact proven by DRDO,” he said.
Noting that the DRDO was “instilling confidence” in the nation that it would neither bow down to instability nor allow any shortcomings in its preparedness, the defence minister said, “Today’s inauguration is a symbol of our resolve to become alert, capable, and self-reliant in tackling every challenge.” He recalled the DRDO’s persistent efforts to address present-day challenges while working on futuristic technologies that provide India with a strategic advantage.
After inaugurating the Advanced Weapon System Complex with the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Rajnath Singh, joined by DRDO Director General (Missile and Strategic Systems) U. Raja Babu and DRDL Director Dr. Ankathi Raju, went around a technical exhibition showcasing cutting-edge defence technologies, advanced weapon systems, and indigenous missile platforms developed by the defence research agency.
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