Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday inaugurated a state-of-the-art test facility of Raphe mPhibr, a start-up supported under the iDEX initiative, in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The minister described ‘Operation Sindoor’ as not only a story of the Armed Forces’ valour but also a reflection of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and the innovation of India’s youth.
Singh said the Armed Forces have swiftly adopted equipment developed indigenously by young innovators and industries, highlighting the country’s growing technological capabilities. He noted that three products developed jointly by Raphe mPhibr and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) within 14 months were successfully deployed during ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Referring to the operation, Singh said the Armed Forces gave a decisive response to terrorists and their handlers within 22 minutes. “When resolve, courage and science come together, the impossible can indeed be made possible,” he remarked.
Emphasising India’s rapid progress in drone technology, the minister said unmanned systems are now being deployed in areas inaccessible to large equipment and play a pivotal role in modern warfare. Citing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he underlined the need to integrate drones effectively into India’s defence strategy.
Singh also underscored the role of government initiatives such as iDEX, ADITI, the Technology Development Fund, and the establishment of the National Research Foundation in fostering innovation. He said these efforts will enable Indian start-ups to achieve milestones over the next two decades that will strengthen India’s global standing in defence and technology.
Praising Noida’s emergence as a hub for defence innovation, the defence minister noted that the city is playing a leading role through start-ups, manufacturing enterprises, and high-tech solutions.
During his visit, the minister toured advanced facilities at the new centre, including an engine test bed, a metal additive manufacturing unit, high-temperature furnaces, a composite polymer manufacturing centre, and a range of drones such as payload-drop drones, swarm drones, and precision-guided missile drones. Officials said these cutting-edge systems are expected to significantly boost India’s defence preparedness.
The event was attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar.