The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has entered into its inaugural high-value deep-tech contract under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) with the Rajasthan-based startup Zero mK India Private Ltd. The agreement, sealed in New Delhi on 24 September 2026, targets the design, fabrication, and testing of a 20 millikelvin dilution refrigerator that will serve quantum-computing platforms and related defence systems. The project is backed by a ₹500-crore corpus that was expressly approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, underscoring the government’s commitment to build a sovereign cryogenic supply chain.
Scope of the partnership and funding framework
The TDF scheme provides a dedicated pool of funds to accelerate cutting-edge technologies that are critical for national security and strategic autonomy. In this case, the DRDO-Zero mK India collaboration is the first “high-value” venture to draw from the expanded ₹500-crore allocation. The signing ceremony featured the director of the TDF alongside Zero mK India’s founders, while senior officials including Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the chairperson of DRDO praised the initiative. Ongoing mentorship will be delivered by the Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) in Delhi, whose director and technical team will monitor progress, evaluate milestones, and ensure the project stays on schedule.
Technical significance of a 20 mK dilution refrigerator
A dilution refrigerator is a specialised cryogenic system that exploits the mixing of helium-3 and helium-4 isotopes to reach temperatures just a few tens of millikelvin above absolute zero. Achieving an operating temperature of 20 mK is essential for preserving quantum coherence in superconducting qubits, silicon spin qubits, and a range of quantum-sensing devices. Without such an ultra-low environment, phase-error rates rise dramatically, rendering quantum processors unreliable. Indigenous development of this hardware eliminates the need to import expensive, proprietary units from Western vendors, reducing both cost and supply-chain vulnerability for defence-grade quantum experiments.
Engineering challenges and expected capabilities
Building a sub-kelvin refrigerator involves mastering the closed-cycle circulation of ³He/⁴He mixtures, precision thermal shielding, and vibration isolation to prevent decoherence. Zero mK India brings expertise in low-temperature physics, while DRDO contributes deep-tech facilities, testing labs, and integration experience with defence communication modules. The target system will be scalable, allowing multiple quantum processing units (QPUs) to be mounted simultaneously for accelerated research and prototyping. Successful completion will also generate a domestic knowledge base that can be leveraged for future quantum-enabled radars, secure communication links, and navigation aids.
Strategic impact and alignment with the National Quantum Mission
The project dovetails with India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM) a multi-year programme aimed at establishing a self-sufficient quantum ecosystem. By creating a home-grown cryogenic platform, the nation reduces its dependency on imported infrastructure, safeguards critical research from geopolitical disruptions, and nurtures an indigenous supply chain that can feed both civilian and defence sectors. Moreover, the collaboration sends a clear signal to the broader industrial community that deep-tech ventures are now eligible for substantial public funding, encouraging startups to pursue high-risk, high-reward research avenues.
Beyond the immediate technical deliverable, the DRDO-Zero mK India pact is expected to catalyse a cluster of ancillary industries, from precision machining to helium-isotope production. As the refrigerator moves from prototype to production, Indian laboratories working on quantum algorithms, quantum cryptography, and advanced sensor networks will gain direct access to world-class hardware without waiting for foreign shipments. In the defence arena, secure quantum communications and next-generation electronic warfare systems stand to benefit from faster, home-grown quantum processing capabilities.
It translates policy ambition into a concrete engineering endeavour, combines the agility of a startup with the institutional strength of DRDO, and aligns financial muscle with national security objectives. If the milestones are met on time, India will possess one of the few domestically produced 20 mK dilution refrigerators in the world—a milestone that could redefine the country’s position in the global quantum race.
