In a key step toward bolstering India’s defence self-reliance, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has transferred technologies for nine advanced systems to ten domestic industries. The transfer was facilitated by the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) in Ahilyanagar on June 7, as part of the government’s ongoing push under the #AatmanirbharBharat initiative.
In parallel, VRDE signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with COEP Technological University to promote collaborative research and development in cutting-edge technologies. The partnership aims to bridge the gap between academia and defence manufacturing, fostering a culture of innovation and speed in product development.
The technologies transferred primarily focus on land systems and mobile weapon platforms—areas where VRDE has made significant strides in recent years. The initiative supports the broader national objective of reducing dependence on foreign imports, which has fallen from 65% in 2015 to 45% in 2023, as per the Ministry of Defence’s latest report.
India’s domestic defence production stood at Rs 1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24 and is projected to reach Rs 1.75 lakh crore in the current fiscal year. The government has set an ambitious long-term target of Rs 3 lakh crore in indigenous production by 2029.
The academic collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving these goals. Experts note that partnerships like the one between VRDE and COEP can reduce development costs by up to 30%, while also accelerating timelines for deployment. A 2024 study published in Defence Technology supports this model, highlighting the impact of university-industry synergy on defence innovation.
The Ministry of Defence emphasized that ongoing technology development and knowledge sharing by DRDO and its establishments will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. The combined push for industrial and academic collaboration reaffirms India’s intent to become not just self-reliant, but a global supplier in the evolving defence landscape.
