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New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently transferred seven advanced technologies to the Indian armed forces, aimed at enhancing underwater operations. These innovations include a long-lasting seawater battery system designed for continuous underwater surveillance and a waterjet propulsion system tailored for rapid interceptor vessels.

According to a statement from the defence ministry, these technologies were developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) initiative.

The technologies encompass a range of applications: an indigenous high-voltage power supply for airborne self-protection jammers, a tide-efficient gangway for naval jetties, advanced switching matrix systems for very low and high frequencies, VLF loop aerials for underwater platforms, and a novel lithium recovery process from used lithium-ion batteries.

Each technology has been meticulously designed, developed, and rigorously tested by Indian industries in collaboration with DRDO experts and the tri-services, emphasizing the initiative's goal of reducing reliance on foreign imports and fostering critical technology development.

The handover occurred during a meeting of the Empowered Committee of DRDO on December 2, chaired by Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO.

The meeting also included senior officials from the armed forces and the Department of Defence Production, who engaged in extensive discussions regarding various project proposals and approved 12 new projects across strategic, aerospace, naval, and electronic warfare technologies.

These approvals highlight the ongoing commitment to enhancing domestic capabilities and minimizing dependence on foreign technologies in crucial and emerging sectors.

The Committee reviewed the approval process for different project categories under the TDF and stressed the importance of expediting project processing to align with the evolving strategic and technological needs of the Services.

Additionally, the Committee discussed the successful development roadmap of these technologies and how to streamline the acquisition process for seamless execution.

It recommended essential policy adjustments and mechanisms to facilitate quicker deployment and operational readiness of the developed technologies.

In his address, the DRDO chairman reiterated the government's dedication to bolstering indigenous defence innovation in line with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision, advocating for the swift execution of the TDF scheme.