October 16, Pune
The Consultative Committee for Ministry of Defence, headed by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, visited Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, a premier laboratory of DRDO under the aegis of Armament & Combat Engineering Systems (ACE) cluster, on October 16, 2025. During the visit, the committee inspected the state-of-the-art products developed by different laboratories of the cluster. The notable products demonstrated include Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, PINAKA Rocket System, Light Tank ’Zorawar’, Wheeled Armoured Platform and AKASH-New Generation missile.
The committee was also apprised of the status of the technologies being developed in the fields of Robotics, Rail Gun, Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, High-Energy Propulsion Materials etc. A detailed future roadmap of the cluster was also presented.
Addressing the meeting on the topic ‘Emerging Technologies and DRDO’, Raksha Mantri stressed on the need to understand and adapt to the transformation taking place in the defence sector & the evolving nature of warfare. He termed advanced technologies as a necessity in the rapidly-changing world, voicing the Government’s commitment to integrating this necessity into the security apparatus.
“Today is an era of technological dominance. The nation that prioritises science and innovation will lead the future. Technology is no longer limited to labs; it has become the foundation of our strategic decisions, defence system and future policies. Our goal is not only to achieve Aatmanirbharta in defence, but also to develop a culture that inspires future generations and establishes India as a global defence innovation hub,” said Rajnath Singh.
Rajnath Singh reiterated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s unwavering resolve to achieve self-reliance in defence, asserting that India cannot depend on import of technologies to safeguard national interests. “The scope of cutting-edge tech is very restricted. Sometimes, some countries resort to protectionism when it comes to disruptive technologies. Sometimes, they do not share information with other countries. India has challenged these limitations. We have shown that if our intentions are clear and policies are unambiguous, we can become self-reliant in any field. Today, India is not only meeting its own needs, but is also becoming a trusted defence partner for the world,” he added.
Other members of the committee expressed satisfaction over the achievements & work being carried out by the ACE cluster, and provided valuable suggestions for future policy making. They urged the officials to tread faster and more methodically in their future plans for safeguarding national interests. Raksha Mantri assured the members that their suggestions will be given due consideration.
