Hyderabad: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday inaugurated an advanced weapon system complex at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory’s (DRDL) Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad.
Addressing DRDO scientists and officials, Singh praised DRDO’s missile systems and strategic systems cluster for contributions to technological excellence, strategic autonomy and national security. He said the performance of indigenous missile systems during Operation Sindoor reflected the growing strength of India’s defence research ecosystem.
Singh noted that India’s air defence system played a decisive role during Operation Sindoor, thwarting hostile aerial threats along the borders. He also highlighted the vital role of air defence as seen in the ongoing West Asia conflict.
He stated that systems developed by DRDO, such as Akash and BrahMos, demonstrated India’s ability to compete in the global defence technology arena. “Strength is essential for peace, and self-reliance is the most reliable foundation for that strength,” he said.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2025 Independence Day announcement, Singh said “Mission Sudarshan Chakra” would become modern India’s multilevel missile defence system, protecting military installations, critical infrastructure, civil assets and key establishments. The three-layered system, he added, would prioritise public safety while retaining the capability to deliver a decisive response when required.
Citing rapid changes in warfare, Singh emphasised that India must build both resilience and deterrence amid global uncertainty. Precision-strike systems, integrated air defence, hypersonic weapons, autonomous platforms, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and advanced sensors were redefining conflict, he said.
The defence minister urged DRDO, the armed forces and industry to work as an integrated ecosystem to move technologies swiftly from development to mass production and timely induction. Production, he stressed, must be treated as part of the development process, with shorter timelines, simpler manufacturing, higher indigenous content and systems designed for rapid scale-up.
Singh noted that government measures over the past 12 years strengthened defence R&D under 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. He also visited an exhibition featuring weapon systems and missile platforms.
