Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the need for sustained investment in research to ensure preparedness in an era of rapid technological transformation.
He highlighted the importance of the 'element of surprise' in warfare, citing examples such as Operation Sindoor and Israel's 'Operation Grim Beeper' pager blasts in Lebanon and Syria.
Singh noted that recent conflicts have demonstrated the speed at which warfare is changing, with the Russia-Ukraine conflict shifting from traditional methods to game-changing drones and sensors within just three to four years.
He announced that 25% of the defence R&D budget has been allocated to industry, academia, and start-ups, with over ₹4,500 crore already utilised.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been working closely with industry partners, with a new Transfer of Technology policy waiving the earlier 20% fee for development and production partners.
Indian industries now have free access to DRDO patents, and DRDO's testing facilities have been opened to industry on a payment basis, benefiting hundreds of firms annually.
