Indian Army Signs First Contract For Indigenous Software Defined Radios
The Indian Army’s new deal for indigenous Software Defined Radios marks a major leap in secure battlefield communication and pushes the Make in India defence vision into its next phase. Image courtesy: X.com/@adgpi
In a major stride toward defence indigenisation, and digital battlefield preparedness, the Indian Army has signed a landmark contract for the procurement of its first indigenously designed and manufactured Software Defined Radios (SDRs).
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the advanced SDR systems are set to revolutionise secure, real-time communication across the force.
What did the Indian Army announce about the SDR contract?
According to the Army’s official post on X (formerly Twitter), these state-of-the-art radios are equipped with high data rates and Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) capabilities, allowing seamless, encrypted communication in dynamic and information-intensive, network-centric warfare environments.
The new SDRs are expected to significantly strengthen the Army’s operational readiness, interoperability, and tactical coordination across theatres, it said.
How has India’s DRDO progressed on communication technologies?
This milestone comes on the heels of a broader national effort to standardise and modernise military communication technologies. Earlier this month, the DRDO, working in close collaboration with the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and the Tri-Services, unveiled the Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA) Standard 1.0.
Released during a national workshop at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi, IRSA lays the technological foundation for developing interoperable, secure, and scalable SDR systems within India’s defence ecosystem.
What is IRSA?
IRSA is a comprehensive software specification that defines standardised interfaces, APIs, and execution environments to ensure waveform portability, interoperability, certification, and conformance across military communication platforms.
Designed to evolve with emerging operational needs, IRSA establishes a unified framework for integrating future technologies into SDRs, aligning with the government’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) vision.
The workshop, chaired by DRDO Chairman and Department of Defence Research and Development Secretary Dr. Samir V. Kamat, brought together senior officials from the Armed Forces, Department of Defence Production (DDP), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), academia, and private industry.
Chief of Integrated Defence Staff chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit and IIT Gandhinagar Director Prof. Rajat Moona were Guests of Honour, underscoring the collaborative spirit driving India’s defence innovation ecosystem.
When was the IRSA conceived?
The IRSA initiative originated in 2021, when the critical importance of SDRs in modern, data-driven warfare was recognised. A core technical team led by DRDO began work in 2022, engaging with the services to define operational and user requirements.
After extensive consultations and technical reviews, IRSA Version 1.0 was approved by the High-Level Advisory Committee (HLAC) in 2025, marking a pivotal moment in India’s defence technology roadmap.
Why is this development significant?
The Indian Army’s adoption of indigenously developed SDRs is not only a significant technological leap but also a strategic move towards self-reliance and future-ready communication infrastructure.
As India positions itself as a global hub for defence innovation, the IRSA framework and DRDO-BEL collaboration are expected to set a global benchmark for SDR technology, paving the way for export-ready, IRSA-compliant solutions to friendly nations.
