SOURCE: AFI
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India has embarked on a transformative journey to develop advanced magnetic materials for strategic applications, as outlined in a detailed roadmap presented by its Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam. This initiative, spanning short, medium, and long-term goals from 2015 to 2035, aims to bolster India’s self-reliance in defence technologies by creating cutting-edge magnetic materials for motors, sensors, shielding, and future nano-composite devices.
Highlighted in a graphic shared on X in April 2025, DRDO’s efforts underscore a strategic push to reduce dependency on rare earth elements, enhance electromagnetic performance, and pave the way for next-generation defence systems. This article explores DRDO’s roadmap, its implications for India’s military aviation and naval sectors, and the challenges ahead.
DRDO’s roadmap, titled “Advanced Magnetic Materials for Strategic Applications,” categorizes its objectives into three timelines—short-term (2015-2020), medium-term (2020-2030), and long-term (2030-2035)—focusing on both hard and soft magnetic materials, as well as smart magnetic systems. The initiative is driven by NSTL, known for its contributions to underwater weapons, but its scope extends to broader defence applications, including fighter jets, naval vessels, and unmanned systems.
Short-Term Achievements (2015-2020)
In the initial phase, DRDO concentrated on developing high-performance hard magnets for immediate strategic needs. Key milestones included:
- SmCo5/BH_max 24 MGOe: Used in gyroscopes, accelerometers, and BLDC motors for the Regional Connectivity Initiative (RCI), NSTL, and Tactical Weapon Training (TWT) programs.
- Sm2Co17/BH_max 30 MGOe: Applied in BLDC motors for RCI and NSTL, offering higher energy density.
- Nd-Fe-B/BH_max 35 MGOe: Deployed in collaboration with the Industrial Research Laboratory (IREL) for technology transfer (ToT) to enhance motor efficiency in defence systems.
Additionally, DRDO explored magnetic thin films for lab-level device fabrication and developed smart magnetic materials—magnetostrictive, magnetoelectric, and shape-memory alloys—for prototype devices. These efforts laid the foundation for integrating advanced materials into existing platforms like the LCA-Tejas and naval torpedoes.
Medium-Term Goals (2020-2030)
Building on early successes, DRDO’s medium-term objectives focus on scaling technologies and reducing reliance on rare earth elements, a critical vulnerability given China’s dominance in the global supply chain (90% of rare earth production). Key projects include:
- Soft Magnetic Coating/Ribbon for EMI/EMC Shielding: Enhancing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and compatibility (EMC) shielding for sensitive defence electronics, crucial for stealth and radar systems.
- Technology for 2 kg Brick Magnet: A stepping stone to larger-scale production of high-energy magnets.
- Nano-Composite Magnet (>50 MGOe): A leap in energy density, aimed at powering compact, high-efficiency motors for UAVs and missiles.
- Rare Earth Free/Lean Magnet: In collaboration with IREL, DRDO is developing magnets with minimal rare earth content, mitigating supply risks. A “Handholding Exercise with IREL” ensures technology transfer to industry partners.
- Industrial Partner Identification for Thin-Film Devices: DRDO is fostering public-private partnerships to scale production of magnetic thin films for sensors and actuators, with prototypes already in pilot-scale development.
Long-Term Vision (2030-2035)
Looking ahead, DRDO aims to push the boundaries of material science with futuristic applications:
- Prototype of Nano-Composite Magnet for Devices: Targeting integration into next-generation defence systems, such as directed-energy weapons and electromagnetic railguns.
- Future Explorations: This includes multi-scale modeling, 3D printing of magnetic materials, chemically synthesized nano-architectures, and molecular self-assembly. These innovations could enable lightweight, high-performance components for 6th-generation fighters or autonomous naval drones.
- ToT for Magnetic Thin Films and Smart Materials: DRDO plans to transfer technologies to Indian industries, ensuring widespread adoption in defence and civilian sectors, such as renewable energy and medical devices.
The development of advanced magnetic materials is a game-changer for India’s defence ecosystem, particularly in military aviation and naval applications. High-energy magnets like SmCo5 and Nd-Fe-B enhance the performance of BLDC motors in the Tejas MkII and AMCA, improving thrust-to-weight ratios and fuel efficiency. EMI/EMC shielding protects avionics from interference, a critical need as warfare shifts toward networked, electronic-heavy platforms, as seen in the IAF’s push for UAV integration.
The focus on rare earth-free magnets aligns with India’s strategic goal of supply chain security. With China’s potential to weaponize its rare earth monopoly—as it did in 2010 against Japan—DRDO’s efforts ensure uninterrupted access to critical materials for defence production. The nano-composite magnet, with over 50 MGOe, could power compact systems like the Buho225 infrared imager by Eon Space Labs, enhancing maritime surveillance without adding weight.
Smart magnetic materials, such as magnetostrictive alloys, enable adaptive structures for naval stealth—reducing acoustic signatures in submarines—or vibration control in helicopters like the ALH Dhruv, addressing issues like the recent grounding crisis. The long-term vision of 3D-printed nano-architectures could revolutionize manufacturing, enabling bespoke components for platforms like the TEDBF, tailored to withstand the Indian Ocean’s harsh conditions.
Despite its promise, DRDO’s roadmap faces hurdles. Developing rare earth-free magnets with comparable performance is a global challenge, requiring breakthroughs in material science. India’s lag in nano-fabrication infrastructure, as noted in critiques of its aviation sector, could delay long-term goals like molecular self-assembly. Funding remains a concern—GTRE’s Kaveri engine struggled with underfunding, and similar constraints could hamper magnetic material R&D.
Collaboration with IREL and industrial partners is a positive step, but scaling production demands robust public-private partnerships, as seen in AVNL’s success with T-72 Ajeya exports. DRDO must also address organizational inefficiencies, a recurring critique highlighted by Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur, to meet its 2035 targets. Engaging private players like MIDHANI, which supplies armoured steel to AVNL, could accelerate material development.
Opportunities abound. The global push for sustainable technologies opens export markets for India’s rare earth-lean magnets, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia, where nations seek alternatives to Chinese suppliers. Integrating these materials into UAVs, as emphasized in India’s defence aviation reforms, could position India as a leader in autonomous systems, complementing efforts like Russia’s BMD-4M offer for the FICV program.
DRDO’s timeline suggests steady progress. By 2026, the nano-composite magnet prototype could enter testing, potentially powering drones for the IAF’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) vision. Medium-term ToT with IREL and industrial partners will ensure production readiness by 2030, aligning with AMCA’s induction timeline. The long-term focus on 3D printing and nano-architectures, if realized by 2035, could support 6th-generation platforms, echoing MiG’s tailless concept.
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