The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully configured and tested a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) platform on the live network of the dynamic test ranges at the Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur, Odisha. The development advances India’s capabilities in quantum-secured communications by demonstrating the practical use of QKD to protect real-time critical observations and telemetry generated during artillery and armoured weapon tests and evaluations.
According to the DRDO announcement issued on 14 October 2026, the platform was designed and developed under the organisation’s Microelectronic Devices, Computational Systems and Cyber Security (MCC) cluster in collaboration with production partner Taqbit Labs. It is intended to provide unconditional security for key distribution together with eavesdropping detection.
In its statement, DRDO said: “Advancing India’s capabilities in quantum-secured communications, DRDO successfully configured and tested Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) platform in the live network of the dynamic test ranges at Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur. This demonstrates the adept use case of QKD to fortify the real-time critical observations & telemetry associated with Artillery and Armoured Weapon tests and evaluation.” The organisation further noted that the system “will aptly provide unconditional security added with eavesdropping detection.”
Quantum Key Distribution uses the principles of quantum physics—typically the transmission of individual photons—to generate and share cryptographic keys between authorised parties. Any attempt to intercept or measure the quantum signal disturbs its state, enabling immediate detection of eavesdropping.
The resulting keys can then be used with conventional encryption methods to secure data. This approach offers information-theoretic (unconditional) security for the key exchange itself, independent of the computational power available to an adversary, while the overall security of a communication system also depends on proper implementation and protection of connected devices and networks.
The Chandipur trial places the technology in an operational military test-range environment. Weapon trials at PXE generate substantial volumes of sensitive real-time data, including telemetry, sensor readings, performance parameters and technical observations that are transmitted between multiple centres. Securing this information with QKD helps protect it against interception and flags any eavesdropping attempt.
This demonstration follows earlier progress. On 14 July 2026, DRDO and Taqbit Labs completed military field trials of a scalable, practically secure, fibre-based QKD system. That milestone was described as laying the foundation for large-scale, multi-hop quantum networks that are indigenously designed and capable of safeguarding national communication infrastructure against emerging cyber threats in the quantum era.
Taqbit Labs, a Bengaluru-based firm, has been working with DRDO on QKD systems for the Indian Armed Forces since 2020, developing solutions suitable for integration with existing networks as well as new deployments.
PXE at Chandipur is a long-established DRDO laboratory responsible for design and developmental trials of guns, mortars, rockets, tank guns and their ammunition, as well as performance evaluation of tank armour and related systems. Its coastal range supports extensive testing activities, making secure transmission of trial data a relevant operational requirement.
The successful configuration and testing of the QKD platform on a live defence network represents a concrete step in applying indigenous quantum technology to protect sensitive military information during weapons evaluation.
It contributes to broader national efforts to develop quantum-safe communication capabilities for strategic applications. DRDO has not released further technical parameters such as specific link distances, key rates or detailed performance metrics from the Chandipur demonstration.
