Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Advanced Weapon System Complex at the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), part of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, marking another significant milestone in India’s pursuit of defence self-reliance and technological superiority.
Addressing scientists, officials, and defence personnel, the Defence Minister lauded DRDO’s Missile Systems and Strategic Systems Cluster for its critical contribution to strengthening India’s strategic capabilities and national security architecture. He stated that the outstanding performance of indigenous missile systems during Operation Sindoor reflected the growing maturity and strength of India’s defence research and development ecosystem.
“The systems developed by DRDO, such as Akash and BrahMos, proved that India possesses the capability to compete in the global defence technology ecosystem. Strength is essential for peace, and self-reliance is the most reliable foundation for that strength. It is a fact proven by DRDO,” said Shri Rajnath Singh.
Highlighting the decisive role played by India’s air defence network during Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister underscored the importance of integrated missile defence systems in contemporary warfare.
“When aerial threats loomed over borders, our air defence system completely thwarted the enemy’s intentions”.
Drawing attention to evolving regional and global security dynamics, he reiterated the Government’s commitment to establishing a comprehensive, multi-tiered missile shield under Mission Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address in 2025.
“‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’, announced by PM Modi during his 2025 Independence Day address, is set to become a multi-level missile defence system of modern India. It will not only protect military installations and critical infrastructure, but also ensure the safety of civil infrastructure & key establishments. The system will possess the capability to deliver a decisive punch whenever needed. Its three-layered protection will ensure minimal inconvenience to citizens and prioritise their safety. It is a system designed to provide a robust protective shield for all assets of vital importance,” said Shri Rajnath Singh.
The Defence Minister emphasised that modern warfare is undergoing a transformational shift driven by rapid technological advancements, including precision-strike systems, hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, autonomous platforms, electronic warfare, and advanced sensor technologies. In this changing security environment, he stressed the importance of resilience and deterrence as the twin pillars of national security.
“Precision-strike capabilities, Integrated air defence systems, hypersonic weapons, autonomous platforms, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and advanced sensor technologies are redefining the nature of modern warfare. The international order is undergoing a period of tension and transformation; where old assumptions are crumbling, and new alliances & challenges are taking shape. In such an environment, there is a need to possess ‘resilience’ – the capacity to absorb any shock and bounce back; and ‘deterrence’ – the ability to instill fear in the mind of the aggressor that a befitting reply would be given if a hostile eye is cast,” he said.
Acknowledging DRDO’s role in enhancing India’s strategic preparedness, the Defence Minister described the inauguration as a symbol of the nation’s determination to remain vigilant, capable, and self-reliant in addressing emerging threats.
“Today’s inauguration is a symbol of our resolve to become alert, capable, and self-reliant in tackling every challenge,” he said.
Commending DRDO’s continued focus on both present-day operational requirements and future technologies, Shri Rajnath Singh noted the organisation’s achievements in indigenous missile development and strategic weapons programmes.
“DRDO’s responsibility is not limited to merely adapting to technological changes, but also anticipating future needs. It has accepted this challenge with confidence. In recent years, it has achieved numerous milestones in the field of indigenous missile technologies. Advanced missile systems have been successfully tested, and continuous progress is being made in strategic and tactical weapon programmes. These achievements are not just technological milestones; they also demonstrate India’s growing self-reliance, self-confidence, and strategic capabilities,” he said.
The Defence Minister further stressed the necessity of equipping the Armed Forces with advanced systems in adequate numbers and within required timelines. He underlined that technological superiority alone does not guarantee battlefield success and called for enhanced synergy between DRDO, the Services, and industry to accelerate the transition from research and development to large-scale production and operational deployment.
He urged DRDO to integrate production considerations into the development process itself, emphasising the need to shorten development-to-production cycles, simplify manufacturing processes, increase indigenous content, and ensure scalability for rapid induction during operational contingencies.
Highlighting the Government’s efforts over the past decade to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities under the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, the Defence Minister praised the collaborative ecosystem involving DRDO laboratories, Defence Public Sector Undertakings, private industry, start-ups, MSMEs, and academia.
“This collaborative model will help India accelerate its journey from innovation to production, and from production to operational capability,” he hoped.
Expressing confidence in DRDO’s future contributions, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that the organisation would continue to strengthen national capabilities, reduce technological dependence, and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
During the visit, the Defence Minister also toured a technical exhibition featuring advanced indigenous missile systems, cutting-edge weapon technologies, and next-generation defence platforms developed by DRDO.
Senior DRDO officials, including Director General (Missile & Strategic Systems) Shri U Raja Babu, Director DRDL Dr Ankathi Raju, and other senior scientists and officials, were present on the occasion.
