Karnataka-DRDO ink pact to support defence startups

The Karnataka government on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to support defence startups. The partnership will promote cooperation with defence startups and grant them access to DRDO’s testing facilities.

Director General for Electronics & Communication System at DRDO, BK Das on the sidelines of signing the MoU, said the organisation will offer all its testing facilities to startups, MSMEs and industries. "The other thing we will do is handhold the startups and act as mentors in terms of growing this business. We will also organise a visit to DRDO facilities for the startups," he said.

During his session, Das said India is transforming into a global superpower in defence technologies which will be a $138 billion opportunity in the next years.


"Indian defence exports are picking up and the target for the next 5 years is $5 billion," he said, adding that the industry base for major systems is now spread across the country. "Along with academia, industry and DRDO, India will be able to cater to the future defence technologies for which innovative thinking, strategy and information are crucial pillars," Das said.