IndiaPosted at: Oct 30 2026 6:27PM


DRDO showcases indigenous semiconductor tech, advanced chip technologies at ESTIC 2026

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has showcased a range of indigenous semiconductor technologies and advanced defence innovations, including next-generation chips, quantum technology prototypes, scramjet engines and neuromorphic accelerators, at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026, in the national capital.
The three-day conclave, held at Bharat Mandapam from October 27 to 29, witnessed DRDO leading a thematic session on ‘Semiconductors and Next-Generation Chips’, highlighting India's growing capabilities in advanced semiconductor technologies and their strategic importance for defence preparedness and technological self-reliance.
The conclave, themed ‘Creative Minds, Catalysing Science, Empowering Society’, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and jointly organised by 12 ministries and departments under the guidance of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. It brought together Nobel Laureates, international experts, policymakers, researchers and emerging leaders to deliberate on scientific breakthroughs and the future of technology.
The DRDO-led thematic session was chaired by Distinguished Scientist and Director General, Electronics and Communication Systems (ECS), Dr B K Das, and brought together prominent representatives from industry, academia, the indigenous chip-development ecosystem and defence electronics.
A panel discussion moderated by Dr Das featured Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems and Cyber Systems) Dr Sheena Rani among the panellists. The deliberations focused on emerging semiconductor technologies, purpose-built Artificial Intelligence (AI) System-on-Chips (SoCs), intelligence at the silicon edge and developments in the microprocessor landscape.
The discussion also examined DRDO's expanding role in supporting industries and start-ups in developing advanced technological solutions, accelerating next-generation chip design and strengthening indigenous core technologies.
At the thematic exhibition, DRDO highlighted its achievements in two critical semiconductor domains, Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs) and Infrared Focal Plane Arrays (IRFPAs), developed by its Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), Delhi.
The organisation displayed Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) and Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based MMICs, along with Multi-Chip Modules (MCMs), which have been deployed in several strategic missions. These technologies form crucial components of advanced radar systems and Electronic Warfare (EW) applications.
The IRFPAs, meanwhile, serve as critical sensing elements in tactical missile systems, enabling target detection and tracking during the terminal phase through Imaging Infrared (IIR) seekers.
The exhibits covered Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR), Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) and Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) technologies, underlining India's indigenous capabilities in developing sophisticated semiconductor-based sensing systems for defence applications.
Among the other prominent exhibits were scramjet engine technology, neuromorphic accelerators, advanced communication systems, Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs), Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and laser proximity sensors.
The DRDO outreach stall also showcased a wide range of technologies developed by its laboratories, including quantum technology prototypes, extreme-cold-weather clothing, PRABALA female full-body protector, passive and powered exoskeletons, portable hybrid energy management systems and high-power pulse laser diodes.
Highlighting the strategic significance of semiconductor technologies, the DRDO presentation emphasised that indigenous capabilities in chip design, fabrication, testing and industrial-scale production are essential for national security, economic resilience and digital sovereignty.
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