Imagine you’re sitting in a classroom, looking at your smartphone. Now think — what if our fighter jets, submarines and Navy ships also needed upgrades, just like how you update apps on your phone?
That’s exactly what happened recently when India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over seven brand-new technologies to our Armed Forces. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) shared this news on December 5, confirming a major milestone in India’s defence journey.
These aren’t just gadgets. They’re powerful tools designed and built entirely in India, by Indian companies, to protect our borders and our people.
Why Does This Matter?
For decades, India bought most of its defence equipment from other countries — Russia, America, France, Israel. That meant spending billions of dollars abroad. Worse, if a machine broke down or needed an upgrade, we had to wait for foreign experts to fix it.
Not anymore.
Under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, DRDO is partnering with Indian companies to create cutting-edge defence technologies right here at home. The seven systems handed over on December 2, 2025, at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi are proof that India is no longer just a buyer — we’re becoming a builder.
Let’s look at what each of these technologies actually does, in simple terms.
1. High-Voltage Power Supply for Aircraft Jammers
Think of this as a super-strong battery pack for electronic warfare. When our fighter jets fly into enemy territory, they use jammers to confuse enemy radar — making the aircraft invisible. This indigenous power unit ensures the jammer works flawlessly, keeping our pilots safe and missions successful.
2. Tide-Efficient Gangway for Naval Jetties
Ever tried walking on a wobbly plank? Now imagine doing that when the sea is rising and falling every few hours. Navy personnel face this daily while boarding ships. This new gangway adjusts automatically with the tide, giving sailors a safe, steady path — rain or shine, high tide or low.
3. Advanced VLF–HF Switching Matrix System
Our soldiers and sailors often operate in remote areas — mountains, deserts, deep seas — where regular mobile networks don’t work. This system lets the military switch instantly between very low frequency (VLF) and high frequency (HF) radio signals, ensuring they can always communicate clearly, no matter where they are.
4. VLF Loop Aerials for Underwater Platforms
Submarines are designed to stay hidden underwater for weeks. But how do they receive messages without surfacing? These special antennas pick up very low-frequency signals even when the submarine is deep beneath the waves. It’s like getting Wi-Fi underwater — keeping our undersea warriors connected and invisible.
5. Indigenous Waterjet Propulsion for Fast Interceptor Craft
Navy interceptor boats are like high-speed patrol cars of the sea. They chase smugglers, protect our coasts, and rescue people in distress. This made-in-India waterjet engine makes them faster, sharper at turning, and completely reliable — no more waiting for foreign spare parts.
6. New Process to Recover Lithium from Used Batteries
Your laptop, phone, and electric vehicles all use lithium-ion batteries. When they die, most get thrown away. This technology extracts precious lithium from old batteries and recycles it for reuse. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also cuts our dependence on importing lithium — a mineral India desperately needs for its green energy future.
7. Long-Life Seawater Battery System
Imagine a battery that runs on seawater and lasts for months. Sounds futuristic? It’s real. These batteries power underwater sensors that monitor our coastlines, detect enemy submarines, and track illegal activities. They work silently, continuously, and don’t need frequent replacement.
Made in India, Tested in India
What makes these seven technologies special is that they were designed, developed, and tested entirely by Indian companies — with guidance from DRDO and our Armed Forces. From concept to combat-readiness, everything happened on Indian soil.
This is what ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ — or self-reliant India — truly looks like.
What Happens Next?
At the same meeting, the DRDO committee approved 12 new projects covering aerospace, naval systems, and electronic warfare. They also discussed speeding up the approval process so that new technologies reach our soldiers, sailors, and airmen faster.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of DRDO, stressed the need for quicker induction of these systems into active service. After all, what’s the point of developing world-class technology if it sits in a lab for years?
The committee also recommended policy changes to make the acquisition process smoother. Translation: less paperwork, faster action.
Why Should You Care?
You might wonder — why does this matter to me? I’m not in the military.
Fair question. But think about this: every rupee spent on importing defence equipment is a rupee that could’ve been spent on schools, hospitals, or infrastructure. Every foreign dependency is a strategic risk. Every homegrown technology is a step toward India becoming a global power.
Plus, when Indian companies build these systems, they create jobs — for engineers, technicians, researchers. Maybe one day, you could be part of that team.
The Bigger Picture
India is the world’s largest democracy and the fifth-largest economy. But for too long, we’ve relied on others for our security. These seven technologies — and the hundreds more in development — are changing that narrative.
We’re not just defending our borders. We’re defending our dignity, our innovation, and our future.
So the next time you hear about DRDO or the TDF scheme, remember: it’s not just about weapons or machines. It’s about a nation standing on its own feet, building its own strength, and writing its own destiny.
And that’s a story worth celebrating.
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