In a significant milestone for India's defence semiconductor ambitions, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced the successful fabrication of indigenous Gallium Nitride (GaN) chips and Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs). The breakthrough positions India among a select group of nations capable of producing advanced wide-bandgap semiconductor technology critical for next-generation radar, communication, and electronic warfare platforms.
The newly developed chips measure just 3.5 by 3 millimetres yet deliver an impressive 30 watts of power output, operating at speeds approximately 300 times faster than conventional silicon-based semiconductors. This performance leap makes them particularly suitable for high-frequency military applications including phased-array radars, jamming systems, and stealth aircraft instrumentation.
Dr. S. Sreedharan, Director of DRDO, described the achievement as a watershed moment for India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in strategic technologies. Traditional gallium arsenide and silicon-based microwave components have historically been imported or relied upon foreign supply chains that can be vulnerable during geopolitical tensions. The indigenisation of GaN MMICs removes that critical dependency.
Gallium Nitride belongs to a class of wide-bandgap semiconductors that can operate at higher voltages, temperatures, and frequencies than traditional materials. For defence systems, this translates into more powerful, compact, and efficient radar and electronic warfare equipment. Indian research teams at DRDO labs spent nearly five years refining the epitaxial growth processes, lithography techniques, and packaging methods needed to mass-produce reliable GaN-on-silicon devices.
Military analysts say the technology could also benefit dual-use civilian applications, including 5G telecommunications infrastructure and satellite communication systems. The Defence Ministry has indicated that early prototypes will first be integrated into indigenous radar systems being developed for the Army and Indian Air Force, with full operational deployment expected within the next two to three years.
