Defence minister Rajnath Singh with DRDO chairman Samir V Kamat at the DRDO headquarters on its 68th foundation day on Thursday
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that the “weapon systems developed by DRDO played a decisive role during Operation Sindoor, which serves as a testament to the professionalism and commitment of the organisation towards safeguarding national interests”. He also exuded confidence that DRDO will play a crucial role in the creation of anti-missile defence system ‘Sudarshan Chakra’, as announced by PM Narendra Modi during his independence day address in 2025.During his visit to the DRDO headquarters here on the agency’s 68th foundation day, the minister commended DRDO for bolstering India’s indigenous capabilities by equipping the armed forces with state-of-the-art technologies, and said the agency’s equipment worked seamlessly during Operation Sindoor, boosting the morale of soldiers.Learning lessons from the Pakistan conflict last year, when enemy forces launched an array of missiles and drones on India, the country is now developing a multi-layered integrated air and missile defence system ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ to create a comprehensive security shield against diverse threats like ballistic missiles, drones, and hypersonic weapons. “Under this initiative, DRDO is responsible for equipping our vital installations with an air defence system to ensure complete aerial protection over the next decade. We witnessed the importance of air defence in modern warfare during Operation Sindoor. I am confident that DRDO will work wholeheartedly to achieve this goal soon,” Singh said.The minister praised DRDO for becoming trust builders along with technology creators, which makes people look towards it with hope, certainty, and belief. Acknowledging DRDO’s collaboration with the private sector, he said the increased engagement with the industry, academia and start-ups has resulted in the creation of a synergetic defence ecosystem. “DRDO has consistently improved its systems, processes, and working methods. From procurement to project management, from industry engagement to collaborating with start-ups and MSMEs, there is a visible effort to make the work easier, faster, and more reliable,” he said.Singh said, “The world is changing every day. Technology, innovation and new warfare domains are rapidly advancing, making yesterday’s knowledge obsolete. We must never assume that the learning process has ended. We must continue learning and challenge themselves, paving the way for the new generation.”He was apprised of the major targets set for 2026 and various reforms that the DRDO is taking for the betterment of the organisation.
