DRDO Partners with Craftlogic Labs for Indigenous NavIC Chip Development

In a significant step towards enhancing India's self-reliance in navigation technology, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has partnered with Bengaluru-based Craftlogic Labs Private Limited to develop an indigenous NavIC receiver chip. This collaboration is part of a broader initiative to reduce dependence on foreign satellite navigation systems, particularly the Global Positioning System (GPS) provided by the United States.

The Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aims to provide accurate positioning services to users across India and the surrounding region. While ISRO has already launched the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) satellites to support NavIC, the system still relies heavily on GPS for various applications. The development of an indigenous NavIC receiver chip is a crucial step towards complete autonomy in navigation technology.

The need for an independent navigation system became evident during the Kargil conflict when India’s request to access GPS data was denied by the United States. This incident highlighted the strategic importance of having a reliable, home-grown navigation system. Since then, India has been working diligently to develop its capabilities in this domain.

Craftlogic Labs, commissioned by DRDO, will be responsible for creating a flexible and customized timing system to meet the specific requirements of NavIC. This project, which began on July 1 and is expected to be completed within 24 months, will significantly enhance the capability of Indian navigation systems. The new receiver chip will be used in both defense and commercial applications, ensuring that India has complete control over its navigation technology.

The NavIC system, once fully operational, will offer directional mapping support to land, rail, and air-based users, making it easier to find routes to various destinations. This technology will not only benefit the common man but also provide critical support to India's defense sector. The shift to Indian-based receivers will ensure that the defense forces have uninterrupted access to reliable navigation data, enhancing their operational capabilities.

This initiative is part of DRDO's broader strategy to foster innovation and self-reliance in defense technology. Under the Technology Development Fund scheme, DRDO has partnered with several private firms, including Craftlogic Labs, to develop advanced technologies for various defense applications. These collaborations are aimed at leveraging the expertise of private enterprises to accelerate the development of cutting-edge defense technologies.

In addition to the NavIC receiver chip project, DRDO is working with other firms on various innovative projects. For instance, DRDO has partnered with Noida-based Oxygen-2 Innovation Private Limited to develop an Indigenous Scenario and Sensor Simulation Toolkit, and with Pune-based Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd to develop an Underwater Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. These projects underscore DRDO's commitment to enhancing India's technological capabilities across multiple domains.

The partnership with Craftlogic Labs for the development of the NavIC receiver chip is a testament to India's growing prowess in indigenous technology development. As the project progresses, it is expected to significantly bolster India's strategic autonomy in navigation technology, reducing reliance on foreign systems and enhancing national security.

By investing in indigenous technologies and fostering collaboration with private enterprises, DRDO is paving the way for a more self-reliant and technologically advanced India. The successful development of the NavIC receiver chip will mark a major milestone in this journey, underscoring the importance of innovation and self-reliance in achieving technological sovereignty.