DRDO signs high-value deep-tech agreement for India’s quantum ambitions

DRDO has signed an agreement with Zero mK India Pvt Ltd to indigenously develop a 20 millikelvin (20 mK) dilution refrigerator for quantum applications.

Why does this matter?

Dilution refrigerators are advanced cryogenic systems capable of creating ultra-low temperatures. Such environments are required by several quantum computing platforms and related quantum technologies.

The project is particularly significant because it is the first high-value deep-tech project agreement under the TDF scheme from the additional ₹500-crore corpus approved for deep-tech and cutting-edge technologies.

The indigenous development could help strengthen India’s capabilities in:

Quantum computing
Advanced cryogenics
Strategic technologies
Indigenous deep-tech ecosystem

This is more than just developing a refrigerator.

For quantum technology, the supporting infrastructure can be as important as the quantum processor itself.