DRDO Signs Two Technology Transfer Agreements

The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Visakhapatnam, signed two Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) on 21 August 2026. The agreements cover the Submarine Fired Decoy (SFD) and the fabrication, installation, and commissioning of the LM2500 Gas Turbine for industrial use in India.

Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology

A Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology is a formal arrangement under which a research organisation transfers a developed technology to an industrial partner for production, fabrication, or commissioning. DRDO uses such agreements to move defence technologies from laboratory development to manufacturing by Indian firms.

Submarine Fired Decoy and Bharat Dynamics Limited

Under the first agreement, DRDO transferred the technology of the Submarine Fired Decoy to Bharat Dynamics Limited, a state-run defence public sector undertaking. The Submarine Fired Decoy is a naval countermeasure used by submarines to mislead incoming threats and support underwater survivability.

LM2500 Gas Turbine and Vertex Engineering Systems

Under the second agreement, DRDO transferred technology for the fabrication, installation, and commissioning of the LM2500 Gas Turbine to Vertex Engineering Systems Pvt. Ltd. The LM2500 is a gas turbine used in naval propulsion and related marine applications, and its transfer supports domestic industrial capability in defence engineering.

Important Facts for Exams

• NSTL is based in Visakhapatnam and functions under DRDO.
• DRDO is India’s premier defence research organisation under the Ministry of Defence.
• Bharat Dynamics Limited is a public sector undertaking associated with defence production.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat is a Government of India initiative linked with self-reliance in manufacturing.

Related Defence Manufacturing Developments

On 18 August 2026, the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment in Avadi, Chennai, transferred indigenous technologies such as MiG 29K/KUB aircraft filter elements and mainshaft bearings to private industry partners. On 30 July 2026, DRDO partnered with Navin Fluorine International Limited for local bulk manufacture of Sodium Borohydride with technical support.

LM2500 Gas Turbine Infrared Suppression System

On 28 April 2026, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited signed an LAToT with NSTL-DRDO for the LM2500 Gas Turbine Infrared Suppression System. The GT-IRSS is designed to reduce infrared signature and improve the survivability of Indian naval vessels.