The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is an organisation under the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India, responsible for the development of technology for the Indian Armed Forces. The organisation was formed in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation. It is headquartered in New Delhi.
The DRDO Labs in India are:
- Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), Delhi
- Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur
- Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior
- Defence Science Centre (DSC), Delhi
- Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), Delhi
- Joint Cipher Bureau (JCIB), Delhi
- Joint Signals Intelligence Directorate (JSID), Bangalore
- Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS), Bangalore
- Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi
- Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), Chandigarh
- Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh
List of DRDO Laboratories in India
| DRDO Laboratory Name | Location | Area of Research |
| Advanced Numerical Research & Analysis Group (ANURAG) | Hyderabad, Telangana | Computational System |
| Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) | Missiles & Strategic Systems | |
| Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ADRDE) | Agra, Uttar Pradesh | Parachutes & Aerial Systems |
| Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Aeronautics |
| Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) | Chitradurga, Karnataka | Unmanned & Manned Aircraft |
| Armaments Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) | Pune, Maharashtra | Armaments |
| Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Air-Borne Systems |
| Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR) | Artificial Intelligence & Robotics | |
| Centre for Fire, Explosives & Environment Safety (CFEES) | Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi | Explosives |
| Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) | Hyderabad, Telangana | High Energy Weapons |
| Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Combat Vehicles |
| Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Avionics |
| Defence Bio-engineering & Electro-medical Laboratory (DEBEL) | Bio-engineering | |
| Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL) | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | Electronics & Communication Systems |
| Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) | Mysuru, Karnataka | Food Research |
| Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research (DIBER) | Haldwani, Uttarakhand | Bio-Energy |
| Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) | Leh, Ladakh | High Altitude Agro-animal Research |
| Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS) | Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi | Physiological and Biomedical Research |
| Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) | Psychological Research | |
| Defence Laboratory (DL) | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | Camouflaging and Isotopes |
| Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) | Hyderabad, Telangana | Electronic Warfare |
| Defence Materials & Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE) | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh | Textiles, Polymers & Composites |
| Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) | Hyderabad, Telangana | Metallurgy |
| Defence Research & Development Establishment (DRDE) | Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh | Chemical & Biological Warfare |
| Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) | Hyderabad, Telangana | Missile & Strategic Systems |
| Defence Research Laboratory (DRL) | Tezpur, Assam | Health & Hygiene |
| Defence Terrain Research Laboratory (DTRL) | Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi | Terrain Research |
| Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Gas Turbine |
| High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) | Pune, Maharashtra | High Energy Materials, Explosive |
| Institute of Nuclear Medicines & Allied Sciences (INMAS) | Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi | Nuclear Medicine |
| Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE) | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | Electronics & Optical Systems |
| Integrated Test Range (ITR) | Balasore, Odisha | Missile & Strategic Systems |
| Joint Cipher Bureau (JCB) | Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi | Signals Intelligence and Cryptanalysis |
| Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC) | Laser Technology | |
| Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Radars |
| Microwave Tube Research & Development Centre (MTRDC) | Microwave Devices | |
| Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) | Ambarnath, Maharashtra | Naval Materials |
| Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) | Kochi, Kerala | Sonar Systems |
| Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | Underwater Weapons |
| Programme Air Defence (PGAD) | Hyderabad, Telangana | Missiles & Strategic Systems |
| Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) | Balasore, Odisha | Armament Testing |
| Research Centre Imarat (RCI) | Hyderabad, Telangana | Missile & Strategic Systems |
| Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) (R&DE(E)) | Pune, Maharashtra | Engineering Systems & Weapon Platforms |
| Scientific Analysis Group (SAG) | Delhi | Communications Security |
| Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) | Chandigarh, Union Territory of Chandigarh | Snow and Avalanche |
| Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) | Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi | Solid State Materials, Devices and Sub-systems |
| Society for Integrated Circuit Technology and Applied Research (SITAR) | Bengaluru, Karnataka & Hyderabad, Telangana | Semiconductor, Microelectromechanical Systems |
| Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) | Chandigarh, Union Territory of Chandigarh | Ballistics |
| Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) | Ahmednagar, Maharashtra | Wheeled Vehicles |
DRDO
The DRDO has a network of 52 laboratories spread across the country, with the majority of them located in the northern and eastern regions.
DRDO Labs in India are engaged in a wide range of research and development activities, covering various disciplines like aeronautical, electronics, computer science, mechanical, metallurgical and chemical engineering. The organisation is also involved in the development of armaments, missiles, combat vehicles, electronic warfare systems, etc.
The DRDO has been successful in many of its endeavours and has made significant contributions to the defence of the country. Some of the notable achievements of the organisation include the development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the Brahmos Missile, the Agni Missile, the Prithvi Missile, the Akash Missile, the Nag Missile, the Trishul Missile, the Shaurya Missile, the Akash Weapon System, the Arjun Tank, the Kaveri Engine, the Lakshya Pilotless Target Aircraft, etc.
The DRDO Labs in India are constantly striving to develop new technologies and products that can meet the ever-changing needs of the armed forces. The organisation is also working on the development of a number of future technologies, which include hypersonic missiles, directed energy weapons, cyber warfare systems, etc.
Conclusion
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is an organization responsible for the development of technology for the Indian armed forces. It has a network of 52 laboratories, which are located across India.
The DRDO is engaged in the development of a wide range of products, including missiles, aircraft, radar systems, and electronic warfare systems. The organization has made significant contributions to the development of the Indian military and has played a key role in the country’s defence industry.