In a significant milestone for India’s defence communication capabilities, the Indian Army has signed a contract to procure its first indigenously designed and manufactured Software Defined Radios (SDRs). These SDRs have been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and will be produced by the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
What Are Software Defined Radios
Software Defined Radios (SDRs) are communication systems where traditional hardware components (mixers, modulators, filters) are replaced or augmented by software‑based modules. This gives major advantages including,
- Flexibility to switch waveforms or communication protocols via software updates.
- Interoperability across different platforms and services.
- Improved adaptability in battlefield conditions.
The particular SDRs procured by the Indian Army come equipped with high data‑rates and Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) capabilities, meaning units can communicate and form networked links even in dynamic, mobile operations.
Development of Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA)
The procurement follows the recent launch of the Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA) standard 1.0 by DRDO in collaboration with the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and the Tri-Services. IRSA serves as a comprehensive software framework that defines interfaces, APIs, and waveform portability standards for SDRs. It ensures interoperability, certification, and adaptability across multiple defence communication platforms. The IRSA standard was officially unveiled during a national workshop held at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi, earlier this month.
Collaboration and Technological Ecosystem
The IRSA initiative, which began in 2021, involved extensive collaboration among DRDO, defence PSUs, industry experts, and academic institutions. The first approved version in 2025 establishes a unified national standard for software-defined military radios.
