DRDO Hosts MSME Conclave to Boost Defence Innovation

10 Sep 2025 CW Team

The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Defence Technology and Test Centre (DTTC) in Lucknow organised a conclave at its Amausi campus on Saturday to foster collaboration with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups in defence research, development and production. The event aimed to enhance participation in the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor.

Over 100 representatives from MSMEs, start-ups and Laghu Udhyog Bharti attended discussions on skill development, research funding, technical consultancy, and technology development and transfer by DRDO.

In his inaugural address, the DRDO Chairman described DTTC as a brainchild of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, stating that it was now yielding benefits for industries. He briefed participants on industry-focused policies and available technologies, urging MSMEs to leverage the opportunity to engage in defence research and development. He assured that DRDO would extend full support to help MSMEs contribute to building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and, ultimately, a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO and the MSMEs for organising the conclave and highlighted the crucial role of MSMEs in realising the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Senior DRDO officials, including Dr RV Hara Prasad, Director General (Naval Systems and Materials), Dr LC Mangal, Director General (Technology Management), and Dr Mayank Dwivedi, Director General (Human Resources), were also present at the event.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..