DRDO has demonstrated indigenously built gallium nitride (GaN) technology for high frequency defense systems. The Ministry of Defense officially confirmed the milestone in its FY 2025-26 annual report.
A single chip measure just 3.3 mm by 3 mm and can deliver 30 watts of power. It switches 300 times faster when compared to silicon. The chip supports GaN Nitride Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs) for X-band use, plus S-band GaN HEMT amplifiers.
The development strengthens India’s semiconductor industry outlook by creating new opportunities in high-performance chip manufacturing, radar systems, electronic warfare platforms and high-frequency communication equipment.
These compound semiconductors run cooler and pack more power into their small size. They also hold better under extreme heat.
The GaN milestone comes as India accelerates its semiconductor manufacturing ambitions, focusing on domestic fabrication, compound semiconductor research, and government-backed funding to build a stronger semiconductor ecosystem.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has identified institutions and facilities such as the Semiconductor Laboratory in Mohali, GAETEC in Hyderabad and SITAR in Bengaluru as important parts of the country’s semiconductor infrastructure.
As of March 2026, ten semiconductor units, comprising two fabrication plants and eight assembly and testing facilities, have been approved under the Semicon India Program, which was notified in December 2021 with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore.
Budget 2026-27 introduced India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0. It lifted the modified program’s allocation from RS 4,300 crore to Rs 8,000 crore.
For domestic manufacturers, the opportunity is not limited to chip fabrication. It extends across the complete value chain:
Under the iDEX initiative, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Agnit Semiconductors to design GaN semiconductors for next-generation defense wireless transmitters. The agreement strengthens public-private collaboration.
Together, these policy moves signal that GaN is no longer treated as a niche defense project. It is a part of wider Indian strategy to modernize its indegenous chip manufacturing capabilities.
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GaN technology has direct implications for India’s strategic autonomy. In 2023, the Ministry of Defense notified that almost all GaN components used in advanced wireless transmitters were imported. Import dependence creates risks for defense program because high-end semiconductor technologies are often subject to export controls, technology restrictions and supply-chain disruptions.
Indigenous GaN capabilities can help India secure critical technologies for radar transmitters, electronic warfare jammers, satellite communication and unmanned systems. India now belongs to a small group of six nations with GaN MMIC production. SSPL director Meena Mishra and DRDO's Suma Varughese have both said self-reliance in compound semiconductors is not mainly about savings. It is about shielding defense program from sudden restrictions.
India will need reliable access to substrates, specialized chemicals, fabrication tools, packaging facilities and testing infrastructure. Scaling from laboratory demonstrations to high-yield commercial production will remain a major challenge.
DRDO has said it will transfer GaN technology to Indian industry at nominal cost. This opens a path for manufacturers beyond the existing DRDO-GAETEC pipeline. The development can create a new market for Indian defense equipment manufacturers. Companies producing radars, communication systems and electronic warfare equipment could increasingly source locally developed GaN devices and integrate them into indigenous platforms.
The government’s iDEX program has already supported private-sector participation in advanced GaN semiconductor development. Such programs can help bridge the gap between research laboratories and commercial production. GaN's power density directly benefits programs like the Airborne Early Warning and Control system. The technology is being positioned for applications across radar, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, communications and unmanned systems.
The next stage will involve improving production yields, thermal performance, reliability and qualification for military deployment. If these challenges are addressed, indigenous GaN technology could become the foundation for India’s compound semiconductor industry.
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