Enhancing Maritime Sustainability: DRDO Develops Advanced Polymeric Membrane for Indian Coast Guard

​The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Kanpur-based laboratory DMSRDE, has successfully developed a nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane designed for high-pressure seawater desalination. This innovation addresses the challenge of membrane stability in saline environments, particularly against chloride ion exposure, making it highly suitable for deployment in Indian Coast Guard (ICG) vessels. The membrane development was completed in a notably short period of eight months, reflecting the urgency and effectiveness of the project.
Collaborating closely with the Indian Coast Guard, initial technical and safety trials of the membrane were conducted aboard an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV). These preliminary tests demonstrated satisfactory performance. Final operational clearance is contingent upon 500 hours of successful operational testing, which is currently underway. Once fully approved, this membrane is expected to play a transformative role in coastal seawater desalination, with potential applications beyond military use after further customization.
This achievement is a testament to DRDO's commitment to advancing indigenous technologies under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative. As the research and development wing of India’s Ministry of Defence, DRDO plays a crucial role in equipping the nation’s armed forces with cutting-edge systems. Its track record includes the successful indigenous development of strategic defence platforms such as the Agni and Prithvi missile series, Tejas light combat aircraft, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, and Akash air defence system, among others.
DRDO operates a vast network of 41 specialized laboratories and 5 Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs), each focused on diverse fields such as aeronautics, electronics, missiles, naval systems, special materials, and life sciences. This extensive infrastructure supports its vision of technological empowerment and mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies.