**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is allocating funds towards Research and Development (R&D) for indigenous defence technologies. Structural reforms are underway to enhance civil-military partnership in the defence ecosystem, including initiatives for faster prototype development, technology transfer, and collaboration with academic institutions and industries. These efforts aim to promote innovation and self-reliance in the Indian defence sector.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Funding for Indigenous Defence Technologies:**
* The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was sanctioned projects worth Rs. 29,558.66 Cr over the last three years.
* Yearly breakup:
* 01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023: 40 projects sanctioned, Rs. 3842.71 Cr.
* 01 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024: 43 projects sanctioned, Rs. 22175.49 Cr.
* 01 Jan 2025 - Till Date: 20 projects sanctioned, Rs. 3540.46 Cr.
* Two projects sanctioned for Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) development:
* Flightworthy Kaveri Dry Engine Development: Rs. 472.42 Cr.
* Technology Demonstration of Kaveri Derivative 'Dry' Engine: Rs. 251.17 Cr.
* **Enhancing Civil-Military Partnership:**
* Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPP) are identified for faster prototype development and transition to production.
* 22 industries are included to realize technologies from academic projects through DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA CoE).
* The Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) collaborates with DGCA for UAV certification and adopts civil drone certification for lower weight UAVs.
* CEMILAC interacts with EASA, ANAC, Airbus, and Embraer for civil-military derivative aircraft certification.
* DRDO has MoUs with TIDEL Park Ltd and UPEIDA to collaborate as knowledge partners for Defence Industrial Corridors.
* 15 DRDO Industry Academia Centres of Excellence (DIACoE) established across the country.
* **Technology Transfer and Industry Support:**
* New Technology Transfer (ToT) policy with zero ToT fee for DcPP and Development Partner (DP), and zero royalty for supply to Indian Armed Forces and Govt Deptt.
* World-class test facilities in DRDO labs are now open for industries with formulated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
* DRDO patents are available on the DRDO website free of cost to industries.
* Technology Development Fund (TDF) provides financial support to Indian industries for innovative defence products.
* Dare to Dream 4.0 contest launched to encourage innovation through the Indian scientific community.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Indian Industries:**
* *Impact:* Access to funding through TDF, free access to DRDO patents, and opportunities for collaboration in development and production.
* *Action Required:* Explore opportunities for collaboration with DRDO, utilize available patents, and apply for funding through TDF for innovative defence projects.
* **Academic Institutions (IISc Bangalore, IITs, Central/State Universities):**
* *Impact:* Establishment of DIACoEs provides opportunities for directed research in defence technologies.
* *Action Required:* Engage in directed research for developing new technologies for defence and security, and collaborate with DRDO.
* **DRDO:**
* *Impact:* Plays a central role in R&D, technology transfer, and collaboration with industries and academia.
* *Action Required:* Continue to facilitate technology transfer, support industries through TDF, and foster collaboration with academic institutions through DIACoEs.
* **Indian Armed Forces:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from the development of indigenous defence technologies and enhanced self-reliance.
* *Action Required:* Monitor the progress of indigenous defence technology development and collaborate with DRDO for requirements and feedback.
Key Entities Referenced
Defence Research and Development Organisation: An organisation under the Ministry of Defence responsible for research and development of defence technologies.
Kaveri Engine: A gas turbine engine project being developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment.
Ministry of Defence: The Indian government ministry responsible for defence.
Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification: The certification agency of DRDO, working on airworthiness and certification standards.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation: The domestic civil counterpart of CEMILAC.
Indian Institute of Science Banglore, Karnataka: One of the DRDO Industry Academia Centres of Excellence.
Technology Development Fund: A fund launched by DRDO to provide financial support to Indian industries for the design and development of innovative defence products.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: A Government of India initiative for self-reliance in various sectors, including defence.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1018
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25th July, 2025
DEVELOPMENT OF INDIGENOUS DEFENCE TECHNOLOGIES
1018. SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government allocates additional funds towards the research and development
of indigenous defence technologies including projects such as the Gas Turbine Research
Establishment’s Kaveri Engine and others;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the specific technologies and infrastructure being
developed/utilized;
(c) whether any structural reforms are being undertaken to enhance civil-military partnership
in the defence ecosystem; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
A N S W E R
MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SANJAY SETH)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Ministry of Defence (MoD) is allocating funds towards the R&D for
indigenous defence technologies. During the last three years, DRDO was sanctioned projects
worth Rs. 29,558.66 Cr. The yearly break-up of funds is as follows:
No. of projects
Year Cost (Rs. in Cr)
sanctioned
01-Jan-2023 to 31-Dec-2023 40 Rs. 3842.71 Cr
01-Jan-2024 to 31-Dec-2024 43 Rs. 22175.49 Cr
01-Jan-2025 till date 20 Rs. 3540.46 Cr
• Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE), is the power plant for the remotely piloted strike aircraft
(IUCAV aircraft). In this regard two projects have been sanctioned namely Flightworthy
Kaveri Dry Engine Development with the cost of Rs. 472.42 Cr and Technology Demonstration
of Kaveri Derivative 'Dry' Engine with the cost of Rs. 251.17 Cr.
(c) & (d) Yes, Sir.
Development-cum-Production-Partners (DcPP) are identified to ensure faster
prototype development and faster transition to production phase, thereby enhancing the
defence ecosystem.
…2/--2-
Industries are included in the loop for faster realisation technologies developed through
academic projects, through DRDO Industry Academia- Centre of Excellence (DIA-
CoE).
Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), the certification
agency of DRDO, is working closely with its domestic civil counterpart i.e. DGCA for
common approach in UAV certification. CEMILAC’s MoD approved guiding
document certification IMTAR V2.0 has provisioned the adoption of civil drone
certification for lower weight UAV thus enabling common certification criteria for both
civil military use.
CEMILAC is also interacting with certification agencies (EASA & ANAC) and aircraft
OEM (Airbus & Embraer) for civil-military derivative aircrafts methodology for
certification so that domestic DcPP can obtain certification in India.
DRDO has entered into MOUs with defence industrial corridors TIDEL Park Ltd and
UPEIDA to collaborate as knowledge partner for sharing of ideas, resources and
expertise for development of Defence Industrial Corridors.
DRDO has established 15 DRDO Industry Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoE)
across the country at IISc Banglore, various IITs and Central/State Universities to
encourage directed research for developing new technologies for defence and security
in identified areas.
DRDO has evolved a new ToT policy and procedures with zero ToT fee for its industry
partners (Development cum Production Partners (DcPP)/ Development Partner (DP))
and zero royalty for supply to Indian Armed Forces and Govt Deptt.
Several world class test facilities have now been opened for industries in DRDO labs
and necessary SOP has been formulated.
DRDO patents are available on DRDO website for use by industries. These patents are
available free of cost to industries to enable Atmanirbhar Bharat.
DRDO has launched Technology Development Fund (TDF) which provides financial
support to the Indian industries for the design development of innovative defence
products.
Dare to Dream 4.0 contest as launched during Def Expo with 10 problem statements to
encourage innovation through the Indian scientific community. Dare to Dream is a
scheme to promote individuals and startups for innovations in Defence & Aerospace.
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