In a significant step towards modernising battlefield communications, the Indian Army has signed a landmark contract to procure its first indigenously designed and manufactured Software Defined Radios (SDRs). The development marks a major stride in India’s pursuit of defence self-reliance and secure digital warfare capabilities.
The new SDR systems have been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Integrated Defence Staff (IDS). The radios will be manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) under the recently launched Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA) Standard – Version 1.0.
Unlike conventional radios that rely on fixed hardware configurations, Software Defined Radios can adapt to different frequencies and communication protocols through software upgrades. This flexibility allows the military to maintain real-time, secure and jam-resistant communication networks, essential for modern, network-centric operations.
According to officials, the newly-signed contract signifies India’s growing capability to design, develop, and deploy advanced communication systems without external dependence. The adoption of the IRSA Standard ensures that future radio systems across all three services remain interoperable, secure, and upgradable through indigenous technology.
The IRSA initiative was introduced in 2021 to establish a unified national standard for military communication systems. It enables developers and manufacturers to create compatible SDRs for varied defence applications – from tactical field operations to airborne and naval platforms.
The signing of this contract is also expected to boost India’s domestic defence ecosystem, encouraging private players, startups, and academic institutions to participate in the next wave of indigenous SDR development.
Officials believe that deploying these advanced radios will significantly improve battlefield coordination, data sharing, and operational resilience, particularly in high-intensity or remote operational zones.
This procurement aligns with the Government of India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, reinforcing the vision of building a self-sustained and technologically empowered military infrastructure.
With this milestone, the Indian Army has set a precedent for future procurements aimed at achieving complete digital sovereignty in defence communications, marking a new era in India’s military modernisation journey.
-
-
-
-
