• A Scientist’s journey from DRDO to defence manufacturing
  • Start Up becomes a defence industry

By Sangeeta Saxena

New Delhi. 30 November 2024. “Worked on Design and development of complex engineering of Missile systems. Involved in design of some of the path breaking technologies in missile systems of DRDO. Wide knowledge in building ground systems for testing and evaluation of the products. Good understanding on EW and RADAR Simulators and subsystems. Wide knowledge on defence procurement cycles. Subject matter expert of Counter drone systems,” this is how the social media describes him. But we know him as a professional who quit a stable job of a scientist with DRDO, to live his dream of make in India for the armed forces. Dr. S Nagendra Babu Managing Director Unistring Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. showcased his array of products at Indian Navy’s Swavlamban 2024 recently. Unistring Tech  Solutions, a 15-year-old company spearheaded by ex-DRDO scientists, is at the forefront of indigenizing electronic warfare and radar systems for India. Based on innovation and self-reliance, the company has grown significantly, thanks to the Ministry of Defence’s initiatives like IDEX. In this exclusive interview with ADU Dr. S N Babu discusses his cutting-edge products, collaborations and vision for the future.

ADU. Tell us about the latest product you are working on?

Dr. SN Babu. We are currently developing the Active Electronic Array Spanning Radar, also known as SR Radar. This advanced radar is designed to detect small drones with high precision and cover longer ranges. Traditionally, we’ve supplied rotating radars to the Indian Air Force and Army through GEN Technologies. However, this new SR Radar focuses on slow-moving drones, meeting a critical requirement from the armed forces. We secured an IDEX contract for this product, which is now at the prototype stage. The bench version is undergoing trials, and the first engineering version will be ready in 2-3 months. We expect to complete field trials within six months and start supplying the system to the services thereafter.

ADU. What other products are you showcasing here?

Dr. SN Babu. Alongside the SR Radar, we are showcasing Compact Electronic Warfare Payloads. These payloads, mounted on drones, are designed for border deployments, especially in mountainous regions. They provide intelligence on enemy radars, communication systems, and radio frequencies, overcoming line-of-sight challenges. Electronic Warfare Simulators and Radar Target Simulators. These systems test and evaluate the performance of naval radars and electronic warfare systems. They are particularly effective for calibrating ship-mounted radars, ensuring high accuracy and reliability.

ADU.  Are you manufacturing the drones for the compact electronic warfare payloads?

Dr. SN Babu. No, we collaborate with a partner for the drone hardware. We integrate our payloads with the drones and deliver a ready-to-deploy system to the armed forces. This approach ensures a seamless solution for end users.

ADU. Do you have contracts in place for these products?

 Dr. SN Babu. For the compact electronic warfare payloads, we have supplied a prototype to a DRDO lab working on advanced technologies. We are also participating in NCNC (No Cost, No Commitment) demonstrations for various services. As far as the radar target simulators are considered, we’ve been supplying these to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and DRDO for programs like QRSAM and AkashNG for over 7-8 years. These simulators are critical for testing and evaluating state-of-the-art radar systems.

ADU. Could you tell us about your counter-drone systems?

Dr. SN Babu. Our counter-drone systems are supplied through GEN Technologies, our holding company. These systems, including RF detection radars, have been delivered to the Indian Air Force and Army. We’re also exporting these systems, showcasing their effectiveness and reliability on a global scale.

ADU. Let’s talk about the company. What sets Unistring Tech Solutions apart?

 Dr. SN Babu. Unistring Tech Solutions was founded by me and Mr. Raju and with us both being ex-DRDO scientists, we started with a vision to indigenize electronic warfare systems for India. Today, we have a team of 500 people, half of whom are dedicated to R&D. We focus on solving future challenges for the armed forces, ensuring our technologies remain cutting-edge. Over the last five years, our turnover has grown from ₹10-15 crores to over ₹200 crores, with an additional ₹150 crore pipeline for execution.

ADU. What role have government initiatives like IDEX played in your growth?

Dr. SN Babu. IDEX and other Ministry of Defence programs have been game-changers for private companies like ours. These initiatives have enabled us to scale rapidly and contribute meaningfully to India’s defence ecosystem. We strongly believe in designing in India and producing for the world.

Unistring Tech Solutions exemplifies the potential of Indian private enterprises in the defence sector. By indigenizing advanced technologies like electronic warfare systems and radars, the company is not only strengthening national security but also positioning itself as a global leader. With initiatives like IDEX propelling their growth, Unistring Tech  Solutions is  a testament to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

As told to Sangeeta Saxena