Defense Innovation: DRDO’s Tech Transfers Initiative
Author: Precedence Research
The Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) handed to ten Indian companies licensing agreements pertaining to nine different land-based defense technologies. The event was held at the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, in the presence of Defence R&D Secretary and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat, in attendance.
The most significant technologies transferred included
- Place Holder Description of Technology to Being Transferred
- CBRN Recce Vehicle Mk-II and Expandable Mobile Shelter to Bharat Electronics Limited
- Mounted Gun System to Bharat Forge Limited
- Anti-Terrorist Tracked Vehicle to Metaltech Motor Bodies
- Vajra Riot-Control Vehicle to Tata Advanced Systems
- Full trailer for 70-ton Arjun Mk-1A main battle tank transporter to BEML, Tata International Vehicle Applications, SDR Auto, and John Galt International
- Vehicle maintenance and repair vehicles for the Arjun tank to BEML
- Multi-Purpose Decontamination System to Dass Hitachi and Goma Engineering
DRDO and the Ministry of Defence stated that this approach was in keeping with the Government's "Make-in-India" initiative to strengthen defense manufacturing under a public-private partnership model. Dr. Kamat praised VRDE's role in the agreement and encouraged companies to consider developing surge production capability, particularly after indigenous systems had recently performed well during Operation Sindoor.
VRDE also signed an MoU with COEP Technological University, Pune, for the promotion of joint research in emerging defense technologies.
Key Highlights
- Licensing of Strategic Technologies: On June 7, the VRDE licensed nine vital land-based defense technologies to ten Indian companies.
- Public–Private Initiative: The handoffs contribute to the Indian government's "Make-in-India" and private-sector participation in defense manufacturing.
- Portfolio of Products: The technologies and systems include CBRN recce vehicles, mounted artillery, riot control and anti-terrorist vehicles, tank trailers, maintenance and repair platforms, and decontamination equipment.
- Leading Industry Partners: Highlighted in the handover ceremony were several of DRDO's major PSAs (BEL, BEML), as well as some of India's most accomplished private sector companies (Bharat Forge, Tata Advanced Systems, and Dass Hitachi).
- Timelines: DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir Kamat indicated a sense of urgency for the companies to build surge capacity because of their outstanding performance for indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor.
- Collaboration with Academia: DRDO signed a new MoU with COEP Technological University to stimulate research and development and innovation.
