India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has transferred nine land systems technologies to ten domestic companies, marking a strategic push to bolster indigenous defence manufacturing.

The transfer was led by India’s Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), based in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, during a formal ceremony. According to a press release by India’s Press Information Bureau, the agreements, issued in the presence of India’s Department of Defence R&D Secretary and DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat, enable private and public sector firms to commercialise and manufacture advanced military systems.

The technology includes a tracked Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear(CBRN) reconnaissance vehicle licensed to Bharat Electronics Ltd, a mounted gun system for Bharat Forge Ltd, and an anti-terror tracked vehicle for Metaltech Motor Bodies Pvt Ltd. A consortium comprising BEML Ltd, Tata International Vehicle Applications, SDR Auto Pvt Ltd, and John Galt International secured rights to build a 70 tonne tank transporter trailer for the Arjun Mk-1A main battle tank.

Additional systems, such as an expandable mobile shelter and riot-control vehicle, were handed to Bharat Electronics and Tata Advanced Systems respectively. Multi-purpose decontamination solutions were assigned to Dass Hitachi Ltd and Goma Engineering Pvt Ltd. India’s VRDE also entered into a partnership with Pune’s COEP Technological University to collaborate on emerging defence technologies.

Dr Kamat cited the strong performance of these systems during Operation Sindoor, encouraging firms to expand production readiness. Senior DRDO scientists, including Armament Director General Dr Prateek Kishore, attended the event alongside industry stakeholders.

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