DRDO Day 2026: Rajnath Singh Lauds Decisive Role of Indigenous Weapons in Operation Sindoor; Pushes for ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ Air Defence
New Delhi January 01, 2026:-During a visit to the DRDO Headquarters on its 68th Foundation Day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the pivotal role of indigenous weapon systems in the success of Operation Sindoor.
He stated that the performance of these state-of-the-art technologies serves as a definitive testament to the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) professionalism and its unwavering commitment to safeguarding India’s national interests. Singh noted that the seamless functioning of DRDO-developed equipment during the operation significantly bolstered the morale of the Armed Forces and solidified the nation’s trust in homegrown military technology.
A major highlight of the address was the focus on the Sudarshan Chakra initiative, a project announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2025 Independence Day speech. Under this program, DRDO is tasked with developing a comprehensive air defence umbrella designed to provide complete aerial protection for India’s vital installations over the next decade.
Singh expressed immense confidence that DRDO would expedite the creation of this system, emphasizing that recent modern warfare has underscored the absolute necessity of robust air defence.The Defence Minister also commended the evolution of a synergetic defence ecosystem, driven by DRDO’s increased collaboration with the private sector, academia, and start-ups.
He urged the organization to remain agile in a rapidly changing technological landscape, focusing specifically on deep tech and next-generation innovations. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Samir V Kamat, briefed the Minister on the roadmap for 2026, which includes major reforms and ambitious R&D targets.
Singh concluded by calling for constant learning and technology scanning to ensure that India’s defence capabilities stay ahead of evolving global warfare domains.