Story perspectives

DRDO signs INR500 crore deal for 20 mK dilution refrigerator

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 4:18 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed a deep-tech agreement with Zero mK India Private Ltd. in New Delhi.
The deal signed on September 24 2026 is funded by a INR500 crore Technology Development Fund corpus.
It aims to develop an indigenous 20 mK dilution refrigerator for quantum-computing testing.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the partnership sets a precedent for future DRDO-industry collaborations.

History

Historical Context

India’s push for strategic autonomy began when ISRO’s Cryogenic Upper Stage Project launched the indigenous CE-7.5 engine in 1999, following the 1994 decision to develop home-grown cryogenic technology after a blocked Russian deal. Building on that legacy, DRDO’s 2026 partnership with Zero mK India to create a dilution refrigerator mirrors the earlier collaboration, underscoring a two-decade trend toward self-reliant aerospace and quantum capabilities.

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Story summary

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed a deep-tech agreement with Zero mK India Private Ltd. in New Delhi.
The deal signed on September 24 2026 is funded by a INR500 crore Technology Development Fund corpus.
It aims to develop an indigenous 20 mK dilution refrigerator for quantum-computing testing.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the partnership sets a precedent for future DRDO-industry collaborations.

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