DRDO
Structure and Role
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), established in 1958 under the Department of Defence Research and Development in the Ministry of Defence, is India's apex body for military research. It was formed by merging the Technical Development Establishment, the Directorate of Technical Development and Production, and the Defence Science Organisation. DRDO is headquartered in New Delhi and operates a network of around 50 specialised laboratories across seven technology clusters: Aeronautics, Armament, Combat Engineering, Electronics and Communication Systems, Microelectronic Devices and Computational Systems, Life Sciences, and Naval Systems.
- Headed by the Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, who also serves as the Director General of DRDO
- DRDO's budget is approximately 8% of the total defence budget; its share has faced a declining trend in recent years
- Major programmes include Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Main Battle Tank Arjun, Akash and BrahMos missile systems, and the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system
● Tracked since April 07, 2026 · last seen June 29, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes