DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat has advocated for funding autonomy to enhance India’s defense innovation, proposing an amendment to the General Financial Rules (GFR) to treat defense research as a strategic investment. During the Delhi Defence Dialogue 2025, he emphasized the necessity of a flexible funding mechanism to foster bold experimentation in R&D, drawing inspiration from the U.S. DARPA model. This approach aims to empower start-ups and private sectors in defense technology, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi supported this view, highlighting the need for collaboration with industry to adapt to evolving warfare dynamics, ultimately positioning India for sustained technological leadership and readiness for future multi-domain operations.