Raksha Mantri Inaugurates DRDO Advanced Weapon System Complex
Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated an Advanced Weapon System Complex at DRDO's Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) within the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad on June 12, 2026. The inauguration ceremony included senior DRDO officials including Director General (Missile & Strategic Systems) Shri U Raja Babu and DRDL Director Dr Ankathi Raju.
Indigenous Missile Systems Performance and Strategic Importance
The Defence Minister highlighted the exceptional performance of indigenous missile systems during Operation Sindoor, specifically mentioning the proven capabilities of Akash and BrahMos systems. He stated that India's air defense system "completely thwarted the enemy's intentions" when aerial threats emerged over borders, demonstrating the growing strength of India's defence R&D ecosystem. Singh emphasized that strength is essential for peace and self-reliance is the most reliable foundation for that strength.
Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Multi-Level Missile Defense System
The Raksha Mantri detailed 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra', which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2025 Independence Day address. This initiative will create a multi-level missile defense system for modern India designed to protect military installations, critical infrastructure, civil infrastructure, and key establishments. The system will feature three-layered protection to ensure minimal inconvenience to citizens while prioritizing their safety, and will possess the capability to "deliver a decisive punch whenever needed."
Strategic Defense Capabilities and Future Preparedness
Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the importance of possessing both 'resilience' (capacity to absorb shock and bounce back) and 'deterrence' (ability to instill fear in aggressors) to safeguard national security interests amid rapidly evolving warfare technologies. He identified precision-strike capabilities, integrated air defense systems, hypersonic weapons, autonomous platforms, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and advanced sensor technologies as key areas redefining modern warfare.
Production and Development Integration
The Defence Minister stressed the need to equip defense forces with state-of-the-art systems in sufficient quantity and at the right time, noting that success in war requires both technological superiority and large-scale production capability. He urged DRDO, the Services, and industry to function as an integrated ecosystem to rapidly transition technologies from development to large-scale production. Specific emphasis was placed on reducing development-to-production timelines, simplifying manufacturing processes, increasing indigenous content, and developing systems that can be rapidly mass-produced.
Government Initiatives and Collaborative Ecosystem
The Government has implemented numerous measures over the past 12 years to promote R&D with the objective of realizing the 'Make-in-India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' visions in defense technologies. The defence ecosystem has transformed through enhanced collaboration among DRDO laboratories, Defence Public Sector Undertakings, private industry, start-ups, MSMEs, and academia. This collaborative model is expected to accelerate India's journey from innovation to production and from production to operational capability.
Technical Exhibition and Future Outlook
During the visit, the Raksha Mantri also visited a technical exhibition showcasing cutting-edge defence technologies, advanced weapon systems, and indigenous missile platforms developed by DRDO. He expressed confidence that DRDO will continue to strengthen national capabilities, reduce technological dependence, and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Defence Forces.