Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will visit the DRDO headquarters on the occasion of the 68th Foundation Day in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI via the PIB photo gallery)
Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (January 1, 2026) said the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) will play a key role in setting up Sudarshan Chakra, the ambitious air defense initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day 2025 address from the Red Fort.
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Mr. Singh was addressing scientists and senior officials during his visit to the DRDO headquarters in New Delhi to mark the organization’s 68th foundation day. Under the Sudarshan Chakra initiative, DRDO will equip critical installations across the country with advanced air defense systems for comprehensive air defense over the next decade.
Highlighting the lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, the minister said modern warfare underscores the importance of robust and reliable air defense capabilities. DRDO would achieve the goal of the Sudarshan Chakra initiative with dedication and urgency and strengthen India’s preparedness against evolving air threats, he said.
Weapons systems developed by DRDO played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor, he said, highlighting the organization’s professionalism and commitment to protect national interests. He praised the DRDO for significantly enhancing India’s defense capabilities and said the state-of-the-art technology and equipment supplied to the armed forces functioned smoothly during the operation. He noted that their reliable performance boosted the morale of the troops and showed the growing maturity of India’s defense research ecosystem.
Appreciating DRDO not only as a technology builder but also as a confidence builder, Mr. Singh said that the organization has emerged as a symbol of hope, certainty and faith for the nation. He appreciated DRDO’s expanding collaboration with the private sector, academia, start-ups and MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) which has contributed to creating a synergistic and vibrant defense ecosystem.
Visible improvements across processes — from procurement and project management to industry engagement — made systems faster, simpler and more reliable, he said.
Mr. Singh urged DRDO to stay in tune with the rapidly evolving global technology landscape and urged the organization to continue to focus on innovation, deep and next-generation technologies.
Emphasizing the need for continuous learning and development, he said technology scanning, capability assessment and future readiness are essential to ensure India remains ready for emerging war zones.
During the visit, Samir V. Kamat, Defense Secretary for Research and Development and Chairman, DRDO, briefed the Minister about the achievements of the organization in 2025, ongoing research and development activities, initiatives involving industry and start-ups and the roadmap, key objectives and reforms planned for 2026 to further strengthen the organization.
Published – 01 Jan 2026 20:20 IST
