DRDO’s SAMANVAY 2025: Tech Transfers Fuel Private Defence Boom
The Eight Technologies Transferred
- Nag ATGM Variants (3rd & 4th Gen) – Fire-and-forget, top-attack, 4–7 km range; transferred to Solar Industries and Adani Defence
- Pinaka Mk-I Enhanced Launcher & Guidance Kit – 90 km range upgrade; to Tata Advanced Systems and L&T Defence
- High-Energy Explosives (CL-20 derivative) – 20% higher yield than HMX; to Premier Explosives and Economic Explosives Ltd
- Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) Mk2 – 150 km glide bomb variant; to Adani and Alpha Design
- Active Electronically Scanned Array Seeker for SAMs – For Akash-NG & QRSAM; to Data Patterns and Astra Microwave
- Compact Underwater Propulsion System – For torpedoes and UUVs; to Larsen & Toubro
- Advanced Chaff & Flare Payloads – For Su-30MKI and Rafale; to Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) private line
- Anti-Drone Directed Energy System (200 kW prototype) – To Zen Technologies and Tonbo Imaging
DcPP Model: From Lab to Production Line in Record Time
Launched in 2023, the DcPP framework has now matured into a seamless pipeline: DRDO develops up to TRL-7, industry takes over production engineering, certification, and scaling. The eight transfers announced at SAMANVAY 2025 will see first deliveries within 18–24 months—half the traditional timeline.
“We are not just transferring technology; we are transferring trust. Indian industry is now a co-creator of our national security.” — Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO
Impact on Major Programmes
| Technology | Recipient | End User/Programme | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nag 3rd/4th Gen | Solar & Adani | Namica-II, Helina-Dhruvastra | IOC 2027 |
| Pinaka Enhanced | Tata & L&T | 12 regiments by 2029 | First battery 2026 |
| SAAW Mk2 | Adani | IAF Jaguar & Tejas | 2027 induction |
| Anti-Drone DEW | Zen & Tonbo | Army & Air Force bases | 2028 deployment |
MSME & Startup Focus
Of the 42 MoUs signed, 28 went to MSMEs and startups—many first-time DcPP partners. Highlights include:
- Big Bang Boom Solutions (chaff payloads)
- IdeaForge (counter-swarm algorithms)
- Tonbo Imaging (multi-spectral seekers)
A dedicated ₹500 crore “SAMANVAY Acceleration Fund” was launched to provide seed capital and testing support to these firms.
Export Potential and Global Footprint
Seven of the eight technologies are cleared for export under the new Liberalised Defence Export Policy 2025. Early interest has been registered from Vietnam (Pinaka), Philippines (SAAW), and Armenia (Nag variants). DRDO estimates ₹8,000–10,000 crore in exports by 2032 from SAMANVAY-origin systems alone.
Beyond Transfers: A Cultural Shift
SAMANVAY 2025 was more than a transaction event. Live demonstrations of the transferred systems, one-to-one matchmaking sessions, and a “DcPP Success Gallery” showcasing 42 earlier transfers (including LFRJ engine, ATAGS, and MPATGM) reinforced the message: DRDO is now a technology enabler, not a gatekeeper.
Industry response was electric. Tata Advanced Systems committed ₹3,000 crore fresh investment, while L&T announced a new Pinaka-exclusive line in Gujarat.
The Road Ahead
SAMANVAY 2026 (planned in Bengaluru) will focus on hypersonics, quantum sensors, and directed-energy weapons—signalling that the DcPP revolution is just beginning.
In the span of one weekend, DRDO handed Indian industry the keys to the future of warfare—and the industry grabbed them with both hands.
Related Reads on DefenceNiti.com
- DRDO’s LFRJ Engine DcPP – The template that made SAMANVAY possible
- ET-LDHCM Hypersonic Milestone – Next in line for DcPP
