New Delhi: In a significant move to bolster India’s indigenous defence capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday unveiled the ‘Delegation of Financial Powers to DRDO (DFP-2026)’. This revamped financial framework is designed to provide the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with greater functional and financial autonomy, aiming to accelerate the development and induction of advanced military technologies into the Armed Forces.
The DFP-2026 framework is being hailed as a major reform that will streamline decision-making processes within the Department of Defence R&D. By enhancing empowerment at various levels, the reform seeks to reduce procedural delays, ensuring that strategic research projects are executed with increased efficiency and accountability.
Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Minister emphasised that the new framework would play a crucial role in reinforcing the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India). He noted that the initiative is expected to foster stronger synergy between DRDO, private industry, and academia. By facilitating faster production and integration of indigenous platforms, this reform will significantly enhance the nation’s defence preparedness and self-reliance in cutting-edge military technologies.
The event was attended by senior officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani, DRDO Chairman and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar. As India continues to modernise its military arsenal, this reform marks a pivotal step in transforming the DRDO’s research ecosystem into a faster, more agile powerhouse capable of meeting the evolving strategic demands of the 21st-century battlefield.