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. 

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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.

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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.

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