The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been credited with achieving substantial financial savings for the country through its indigenous defence research initiatives. A report tabled by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence on December 9, 2025, highlighted that the organisation helped India save ₹2,64,156 crore over the past five years by developing advanced technologies domestically instead of importing them.
The committee noted that DRDO’s sustained focus on indigenous innovation has played a decisive role in strengthening national defence preparedness. It underscored the organisation’s progress across several high-priority technology domains, marking key accomplishments that support India’s long-term strategic objectives.
Indigenous Development Leads to Major Cost Reductions
According to the parliamentary panel, the cost savings were the result of DRDO’s success in designing, testing and advancing a wide array of critical systems within the country. By reducing dependence on foreign vendors, the organisation prevented significant expenditure on imported hardware and helped retain strategic capabilities within India’s own defence ecosystem.
The savings figure of more than ₹2.64 lakh crore reflects the cumulative impact of ongoing R&D projects, technology upgrades and mission-level advancements achieved over the reporting period. The committee observed that these outcomes illustrate the economic and technological value generated through indigenous defence research.
Breakthroughs in Hypersonic and Missile Technologies
The report detailed several major milestones in DRDO’s developmental roadmap. One such achievement was the successful flight test of India’s first long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile conducted in November 2024. This test demonstrated progress in high-speed strike capabilities designed for maritime operations.
Another key advancement was the testing of Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology in March 2024 using an Agni-series ballistic missile. MIRV systems allow a single missile to carry multiple warheads, each capable of striking different targets. The adoption of this technology represents a significant enhancement in India’s strategic missile programme.
Progress in Air Defence and Anti-Armour Systems
The parliamentary committee report also highlighted DRDO’s achievements in tactical defence systems. It noted the successful development and testing of the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), designed to counter low-altitude aerial threats.
Additionally, the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) completed PSQR validation trials for the Indian Army. These developments reinforce India’s efforts to expand indigenous capabilities in both air defence and anti-armour weapon systems.
The committee acknowledged that such advancements strengthen operational readiness while reducing dependency on external suppliers, in line with the broader objective of self-reliance in defence technologies.
Summary:
DRDO has saved ₹2,64,156 crore over five years through indigenous development of defence technologies, as noted by a parliamentary committee. Key achievements include progress in hypersonic systems, MIRV-enabled missile capabilities, VSHORADS air defence systems and the MPATGM platform. The organisation’s R&D efforts reduced import reliance, delivered major cost savings and boosted India’s defence self-reliance.
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