DRDO Offers 28 Indigenous Weapon Systems for Emergency Procurement

In a move aimed at bolstering India’s military preparedness, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has submitted a list of 28 indigenously developed weapon systems to the Ministry of Defence for emergency procurement by the armed forces. The offer comes in the wake of the successful performance of Indian-made weapons during Operation Sindoor, the recent military retaliation against the Pahalgam terror attack.

The list includes a wide range of systems that can be acquired under the Centre’s emergency procurement powers, which allow the armed forces to purchase equipment worth up to Rs 300 crore per item without lengthy bureaucratic procedures. These powers are aimed at ensuring rapid capability enhancement in the face of emerging security threats.

According to defence officials, the DRDO’s proposal includes an extensive catalogue of advanced weaponry such as air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, laser-guided bombs, torpedoes, shoulder-fired air defence and anti-tank missiles, Rudram anti-radiation missiles, helicopter-launched and ground-launched Nag missiles, naval anti-ship missiles, grenades, and the versatile Pinaka rocket systems.

The DRDO has not only provided technical specifications but also detailed the availability timeline and designated production agencies for each system. For instance, Pinaka rockets are available from Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, while Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is listed as the producer for several key missile and ammunition systems.

The 28 weapons systems offered for procurement are distributed across the three services — 14 systems for the Indian Army, 8 for the Navy, and 6 for the Air Force. These include cutting-edge munitions such as the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (MPATGM), Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS), Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAAW), long-range glide bombs, Advanced Lightweight Torpedoes, and ammunition for 155mm artillery guns.

The Indian Air Force is already moving forward with the acquisition of the SAAW smart munition under a separate proposal that is currently under consideration by the Defence Ministry.

This latest offering marks a significant leap from previous years. During the 2020 standoff with China, the number of DRDO-developed systems readily available for frontline use was limited. In contrast, the current list reflects the maturing of India’s defence R&D ecosystem and the DRDO’s growing capability to deliver operational systems on short notice.

Highlighting the improved readiness, officials noted that DRDO’s flagship systems — including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, MRSAM (Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile), and Akash air defence systems — played a key role in successfully neutralising Pakistani threats during Operation Sindoor.

The Centre’s push for indigenous defence production under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative has been further reinforced by the DRDO’s readiness to deliver cutting-edge weapon systems within a year’s timeframe — a move expected to significantly enhance India’s combat readiness across multiple theatres.

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