New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the weapon systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) played a decisive role during Operation Sindoor, underlining the organisation’s professionalism and commitment to safeguarding national interests.
Speaking during his visit to the DRDO headquarters in New Delhi on the organisation’s 68th Foundation Day, the Defence Minister commended DRDO for strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities by equipping the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art technologies. He said DRDO-developed equipment functioned seamlessly during the operation and significantly boosted the morale of soldiers.
Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that DRDO would play a crucial role in the creation of Sudarshan Chakra, as announced by the Prime Minister during the Independence Day 2025 address. Under the initiative, DRDO is tasked with equipping vital installations with an air defence system to ensure comprehensive aerial protection over the next decade. Referring to Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister said the operation highlighted the critical importance of air defence in modern warfare.
The Defence Minister said DRDO has emerged not only as a technology creator but also as a trust builder, inspiring confidence among the people. He highlighted the organisation’s growing collaboration with the private sector, academia and start-ups, which has helped create a synergised defence ecosystem. He noted visible improvements in systems, processes and working methods, ranging from procurement and project management to industry engagement.
Calling upon DRDO to stay aligned with the rapidly evolving technological landscape, Singh urged the organisation to continue focusing on innovation and identify new areas to enhance private sector participation. He said progress in deep-tech and next-generation technologies would further strengthen national capabilities and the overall defence ecosystem.
Emphasising the need for continuous learning, the Defence Minister said technology scanning, capability assessment and future readiness have become essential in an era marked by rapid advances in innovation and new warfare domains.
During the visit, the Defence Minister was briefed by Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat on ongoing research and development activities, key achievements in 2025, initiatives to promote industry and start-up participation, and the organisation’s roadmap and reform agenda for 2026.
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, senior DRDO scientists and officials were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, as the ‘Year of Reforms 2025’ concluded, the Ministry of Defence recorded significant progress in implementing wide-ranging reforms aimed at strengthening jointness, enhancing defence preparedness, promoting self-reliance and improving welfare delivery, with several measures proving crucial during the planning and execution of Operation Sindoor.
Under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the reforms reflected a whole-of-government approach towards building a modern, integrated and future-ready defence ecosystem. Officials said the steps taken to enhance joint planning, operational integration and capability development bore tangible results during Operation Sindoor.
To boost defence readiness, the Defence Acquisition Council approved capital acquisition proposals worth over Rs. 3.84 lakh crore since January 2025, with a strong focus on modernisation through indigenisation. During FY 2025–26 till December, capital contracts worth Rs. 1.82 lakh crore were signed for the modernisation of the Armed Forces.
The ministry achieved nearly 80 per cent expenditure under the Capital Acquisition Budget—around Rs. 1.2 lakh crore—by the end of December 2025. Overall capital expenditure, including infrastructure, land and R&D, reached about 76 per cent.
Officials said reforms aimed at jointness and future preparedness were key enablers during Operation Sindoor. These included the establishment of a Joint Operations Control Centre, promulgation of Vision 2047 for the Armed Forces, creation of a Future Operations Analysis Group, promotion of joint training programmes and progress on the Integrated Capability Development Plan.
Operational integration measures such as deployment of a Tri-Service Geographical Information System, harmonisation of policies, SOPs and tactics across services, and expansion of women’s roles in combat and leadership further enhanced capability enablement. A long-term roadmap for operational infrastructure and accommodation was also prepared.
The ministry also pushed defence industry reforms to promote indigenisation and secure supply chains. Private sector participation was increased through streamlined manufacturing licences, MSME capability mapping, sharing of testing facilities and allocation of 25 per cent of defence research grants to private industry, academia and MSMEs.
Procurement processes were simplified to reduce timelines, including rationalisation of export permissions, revamping of the Defence EXIM Portal, simplification of technology transfer policy and implementation of the Defence Procurement Manual 2025 from November 1.
On the welfare front, reforms included improvements in healthcare delivery under ECHS, expansion of tele-medicine services, doorstep delivery of medicines for elderly veterans, and enhancement of welfare grants. The SPARSH pension portal onboarded 31.69 lakh defence pensioners, with a majority of discrepant cases resolved without affecting entitlements.
The Ministry of Defence said the sustained reform momentum during 2025 has strengthened India’s defence preparedness and institutional efficiency, with Operation Sindoor serving as a clear demonstration of the benefits of enhanced jointness, integration and forward-looking defence reforms.