Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended warm greetings to the scientific community and staff of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on the occasion of its 67th Foundation Day. In a social media post, he commended their dedication and role in bolstering India's defence capabilities through indigenous innovation.
Leadership Applauds DRDO's Contribution
On Thursday, Rajnath Singh took to platform X to honour the scientists, personnel, and their families associated with DRDO. He emphasized that their "unwavering commitment, scientific excellence and sense of national duty" are crucial for enhancing the country's defence preparedness and advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in the defence sector.
The Defence Minister stated that by creating indigenous and future-ready technologies, the organisation is reinforcing India's strategic autonomy and boosting the confidence of the armed forces. He wished the entire DRDO family a year filled with significant breakthroughs and continued service to the nation.
Echoing the sentiment, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army also conveyed their warm wishes to the DRDO personnel and their families on this occasion, as announced by the ADG PI on X.
A Legacy of Growth and Achievement
January 1, 2026, marks the 67th Foundation Day of DRDO. The organisation traces its origins to 1958, when it was formed by merging the Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
Starting as a modest entity with just 10 establishments or laboratories, DRDO has expanded tremendously over the decades. It has grown in multiple directions, diversifying its subject disciplines, increasing its number of laboratories, and scaling new heights in achievements and stature.
Recent Milestone: Successful 'Pralay' Missile Test
The greetings come on the back of a significant achievement by DRDO in 2025. On Wednesday morning, the organisation successfully conducted a salvo launch of two 'Pralay' missiles in quick succession from the same launcher off the coast of Odisha.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the flight test was conducted around 10:30 hrs as part of user evaluation trials. Both missiles followed their planned trajectory and met all flight objectives. Their performance was monitored by tracking sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, with terminal events confirmed by telemetry systems on a ship near the impact points.
The 'Pralay' is an indigenously developed solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile. It employs advanced guidance and navigation systems to ensure high precision and is designed to carry multiple types of warheads against various targets, representing a leap forward in India's tactical missile capability.
The combined messages from the nation's defence leadership and the recent technological success underscore DRDO's pivotal role in securing India's borders and its journey towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
