DRDO’s Rs 500 cr quantum bet: Big deep-tech deal to build India’s first 20 mK quantum refrigerator

India's defence research establishment has moved from funding small prototypes to backing a full-scale, high-value deep-tech project with a start-up.

Key points

• Pic.twitter.com/SUyWjWe6BT. – Ministry of Defence, Administration of India (@SpokespersonMoD) September 24, 2026.
• The defence ministry has been pushing to reduce reliance on imported critical technologies, especially in areas that will shape future warfare and strategic capabilities.
• Why the defence sector is putting funds behind quantum cooling.
• Dilution refrigerators are the 'cold rooms' of the quantum world.
• Until now, much of this cryogenic infrastructure has been imported.

Notably, the accord is with Zero mK India Private Limited, a start-up based in Rajasthan's Alwar, for the indigenous development of a 20 millikelvin (mK) dilution refrigerator for quantum applications. Why the defence sector is putting funds behind quantum cooling.

For context, the defence ministry has been pushing to reduce reliance on imported critical technologies, especially in areas that will shape future warfare and strategic capabilities. Quantum computing, secure communications and advanced sensing are seen as key domains where India cannot afford to be dependent on foreign suppliers.

Dilution refrigerators are the 'cold rooms' of the quantum world. They are specialised cryogenic systems that can cool devices to temperatures just above absolute zero, in the millikelvin range. Such ultra-low temperatures are essential to operate and test plenty of types of quantum processors and related quantum hardware.

Until now, much of this cryogenic infrastructure has been imported. According to the defence ministry's report, the new project is projected to build a 20 mK-class dilution refrigerator in India, aligning with the National Quantum Mission and strengthening domestic capabilities in quantum technology and advanced cryogenics.

DRDO has signed its first high-value deep-tech project agreement under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme with Zero mK India Pvt Ltd for indigenous development of a 20 mK-class Dilution Refrigerator for Quantum Applications. The project, backed by the Rs 500 crore. Pic.twitter.com/SUyWjWe6BT. – Ministry of Defence, Administration of India (@SpokespersonMoD) September 24, 2026.

In short, dRDO's Rs 500 cr quantum bet: Big deep-tech deal to build India's is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.