DRDO transfers 2,200 technologies to industry in defence push: Rajnath Singh
Synopsis
DRDO has transferred 2,200 technologies to Indian industries, the Transfer of Technology fee has been scrapped, and domestic defence production has hit a record ₹1.54 lakh crore — Rajnath Singh's address at the North Tech Symposium signals a decisive shift from procurement dependence to indigenous capability, with Operation Sindoor cited as proof of concept.
Key Takeaways
DRDO has transferred 2,200 technologies to various Indian industries, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on 4 May 2025 .
25% of the defence R&D budget is allocated to industry, academia, and start-ups; over ₹4,500 crore has already been utilised.
The 20% Transfer of Technology fee has been fully waived for Development-cum-Production Partners, Development Partners, and Production Agencies.
Domestic defence production reached a record ₹1.54 lakh crore in FY2025-26 ; defence exports hit an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore .
Operation Sindoor was cited as a demonstration of indigenous technological warfare, featuring Akashteer , Akash missile system , and BrahMos .
DRDO's testing facilities have been opened to industries on a payment basis , with hundreds of firms utilising them annually for R&D support.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday announced that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has transferred 2,200 technologies to various industries, as the government places defence research at the centre of its national priorities. Singh made the remarks at the inaugural session of the three-day 'North Tech Symposium' in Prayagraj, organised by the Indian Army's Northern and Central Commands and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).
Key Announcements on Defence R&D
Singh highlighted that 25 per cent of the defence R&D budget has been earmarked for industry, academia, and start-ups, with these entities having already utilised over ₹4,500 crore of the allocated funds. He also revealed that a new Transfer of Technology (ToT) policy has been implemented, under which the 20 per cent technology transfer fee — levied previously — has been completely waived off for Development-cum-Production Partners, Development Partners, and Production Agencies. Additionally, DRDO has initiated a policy granting Indian industries free access to its patents, a move intended to strengthen both technological capability and global competitiveness.
Modern Warfare and the Element of Surprise
Singh underscored the explosive pace of technological change reshaping modern warfare, pointing to the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a defining example.
Point of View
200-technology transfer figure and the scrapping of the ToT fee are significant structural moves, but the real measure is how many of these technologies have translated into production-ready systems at scale. India's defence exports have grown sharply, yet the bulk still originates from a handful of PSU-linked programmes. The opening of DRDO patents and testing facilities to private players is a genuine democratisation of the innovation pipeline — but without transparent outcome tracking, these announcements risk becoming a familiar catalogue of inputs rather than outputs. Operation Sindoor has given the government a powerful narrative anchor; the harder task is sustaining that indigenous edge across the next generation of threats, from hypersonics to quantum-enabled warfare.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many technologies has DRDO transferred to Indian industries?
DRDO has transferred 2,200 technologies to various Indian industries, according to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's announcement at the North Tech Symposium in Prayagraj on 4 May 2025. The transfers are part of a broader government push to strengthen indigenous defence production.
What is the new DRDO Transfer of Technology policy?
Under the new Transfer of Technology (ToT) policy, the 20 per cent fee that was previously levied has been completely waived off for Development-cum-Production Partners, Development Partners, and Production Agencies. DRDO has also granted Indian industries free access to its patents to boost their technological and competitive capabilities.
What is India's current defence production and export figure?
India's domestic defence production reached a record high of ₹1.54 lakh crore in Financial Year 2025-26, while defence exports touched an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore. These figures were cited by Rajnath Singh as evidence that the government's self-reliance push is yielding results.
What is the North Tech Symposium and why was it held?
The North Tech Symposium is a three-day event organised in Prayagraj by the Indian Army's Northern and Central Commands along with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM). It brings together defence personnel, industry leaders, innovators, and start-ups to focus on technological readiness and innovation in defence.
How was Operation Sindoor linked to indigenous defence technology?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described Operation Sindoor as a prime example of technological warfare, noting that cutting-edge indigenous systems — including the Akashteer air defence control system, the Akash missile system, and BrahMos — were deployed. He cited it as proof of India's growing self-reliance in advanced defence capabilities.
