Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday extended greetings to scientists, personnel and their families on the occasion of DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) Day.
In a post on X, Singh said, “On DRDO Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all DRDO India scientists, personnel and their families. Their unwavering commitment, scientific excellence and sense of national duty are vital to strengthening India’s defence preparedness and advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.”
“By developing indigenous, future-ready technologies, DRDO is reinforcing our strategic autonomy and the confidence of our armed forces. I wish the entire DRDO family a year of meaningful breakthroughs and continued service to the nation,” he added.
DRDO is marking its Foundation Day to commemorate its establishment in 1958, when it was formed through the merger of the Technical Development Establishment of the Indian Army, the Directorate of Technical Development and Production of the Indian Ordnance Factories, and the Defence Science Organisation, under the leadership of then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. At the time of its inception, DRDO had just 10 laboratories.
Over the decades, the organisation has expanded significantly and today operates a network of 52 laboratories engaged in research and development across key defence domains, including aeronautics, armaments, electronics, land systems, life sciences, materials, missiles and naval technologies. It is now India’s largest and most diverse defence research organisation, with around 5,000 scientists from the Defence Research and Development Service (DRDS) and nearly 25,000 technical and support personnel.
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi also conveyed greetings to DRDO personnel and their families on the occasion, acknowledging their role in strengthening national security.
(With agency inputs)
