India enhances military communication with IRSA standard 1.0

Officials during the launch of IRSA standard 1.0 at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi. Credit: Ministry of Defence.

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in partnership with the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and Tri-Services, has introduced the Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA) standard 1.0.

Released during a national workshop held at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi on 6 October, 2025, the IRSA standard 1.0 is designed to facilitate interoperability in military communication. 

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The IRSA is a detailed software specification tailored for Software Defined Radios (SDR). It encompasses standardised interfaces, application programming interfaces (APIs), execution environments, and waveform portability mechanisms.

The key focus of IRSA is to facilitate waveform portability and ensure interoperability, certification, and conformance of SDRs.

The Indian Ministry of Defence stated that this launch marks a considerable step in India’s journey to achieve “self-reliance in defence communication technologies.”

“The specification is designed to evolve with operational requirements. It also lays the foundation for integrating future technologies,” the statement said.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

During the workshop, the evolution of IRSA was discussed along with its technical aspects, roles within the ecosystem, and prospective developments.

The event served as a forum for stakeholders from industry, academia, and the Tri-Services to explore collaborative ventures, pilot schemes, and strategies for adopting the new standard.

The gathering saw participation from various sectors including the Indian Armed Forces, Department of Defence Production (DDP), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), industry representatives, academic institutions, and research bodies.

The IRSA was envisioned in 2021 when the essential role of SDRs in modern military operations was recognised, prompting the need for a national software standard.

A dedicated technical team from DRDO commenced work in 2022 alongside IDS and the Tri-Services to consolidate operational and user requirements.

Following thorough reviews and stakeholder consultations, IRSA Version 1.0 received approval from the High-Level Advisory Committee (HLAC) in 2025.

Sign up for our daily news round-up!

Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.

Army Technology Excellence Awards – The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Army Technology Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}