DRDO Develops Portable Desalination System for Soldiers in Remote Areas

The Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed a portable water desalination device to meet the drinking water needs of soldiers deployed in challenging and water-scarce environments. The system is designed to support small groups operating in remote, coastal, or high-altitude regions where access to potable water is severely limited.

Sea Water Desalination System (SWaDeS)

The device, named Sea Water Desalination System (SWaDeS), has been developed by the Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur in response to operational requirements projected by the tri-command services. It can be operated either manually or through an engine-driven mode, offering flexibility across different deployment scenarios.

Operational Use in Diverse Terrains

According to scientists, SWaDeS is suitable for naval operations and coastal installations where seawater is readily available. It is also designed for inland deployment in saline water zones such as Pangong Tso in Ladakh, a high-altitude lake near the Line of Actual Control with China, where a significant troop presence is maintained. The system can purify saline water to permissible drinking standards.

Capacity and Technical Capability

The manually operated version of SWaDeS is lightweight and can be carried by a single person. It can meet the emergency drinking water requirements of 10–12 personnel on long-range patrols or in isolated posts. The engine-operated version can treat seawater with salinity levels up to 35,000 mg/L of total dissolved solids and reduce it to below 500 mg/L, sufficient to support 20–25 soldiers.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• SWaDeS stands for Sea Water Desalination System.
• It has been developed by DRDO’s Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur.
• The system can operate in manual and engine-driven modes.
• It can purify seawater and saline inland water for drinking.

Broader Water Purification Portfolio

DRDO has developed multiple water purification systems for military and civilian use across varied climatic and terrain conditions. These include household units for removing arsenic, iron and manganese, as well as specialised Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear water purification systems for contaminated environments. The range covers fixed installations, transportable units and vehicle-mounted systems, highlighting DRDO’s focus on water security for both defence and civilian needs.