Defence Research and Development Organisation were formed in 1958 by culmination of defence Science Organisation and some other technical development establishments. But a separate department of Defence Research and Development was formed in 1980 which now administers DRDO and its 51 laboratories and establishments.

The Department of Defence Research and Development, formulates and executes plans for scientific research, design and development in the fields of relevance to national security, leading to induction of new weapons, delivery systems, plate form and other equipments required by the armed forces.

It also functions as the nodal agency for the execution of major development programs of relevance to defence testing and production facilities with the national scientific institutions, public sector undertakings and other agencies. It functions under the control of scientific advisor to Defence Minister who is also Secretary of Defence Research and Development.

DRDO has made great strides since 1980 towards making our armed forces self reliant. This has also enabled our armed forces to face the export control regimes of advanced countries and DRDO has progressively enhanced their combat effectiveness through development of state of the art indigenous defence systems. During the last few years a number of defence systems and equipments have been produced. Its recent achievements include the successful flights testing of various missile systems under the Integrated Guided Missile Development programme.

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A sophisticated low level warning radar INDRA has been successfully developed and inducted into the services. The other notable achievements of DRDO have been multibarrel rocket launch system PINAKA, main battle tank Arjun, bricklayer tank KARTIK, field guns MK-I and MK – II, communication systems, night vision devices.

In addition, several high technology projects which include light combat aircrafts (LCA), gas turbine engine, pilotless target aircraft (PTA) are of various stages of development with DRDO. The pilotless aircraft Lakshya, a reusable aerial target system remotely operated from ground is under production and induction. The other major programmes under progress are Kaveri engine for the Light Combat Aircraft, various missiles under the Integrated Missile Development Programme.

Development of sea mines for use against submarines and ships is in advanced stages. Upgraded version of the mine for underwater work by novel divers and frogmen has been developed and has undergone trails by the navy. Composite sonar and tactical weapon control system PANCHENDRIYA for heavy and a marine acoustic research ship SAGARDHWANI is one of the most sophisticated research ships have also been developed.

A multi-span bridging system SARVATRA has been accepted for induction in the service after mobility, stability and monoeuvrablity of the vehicles was proved also. A defence technology park is being set up in Bangalore to facilitate transfer of technologies by DRDO labs to the production undertakings. The defence food laboratory has also developed products, processes, preservatives and packaging materials so that suitable Indian packaged food can be provided to the armed forces in difficult terrain.