Research & Development Establishment (Pakistan)

The Directorate-General Research and Development Establishment (reporting name: DGRDE) is a defense agency of the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) located in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.^[1]

Research & Development Establishment

Agency overview
Formed	May 2020
Preceding agencies	Institute of Optronics MVRDE ARDE
Type	Defense Optronics Mobility and Bridging Simulators Armament
Headquarters	Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Parent department	Ministry of Defence Production
Website	https://rde.gov.pk

Established in 2020 through merger of military research enterprises, it focuses on indigenization to support the combat capabilities of the Pakistan Armed Forces and other government civilian agencies as well as supporting the nuclear security enterprise.^[2]

Overview

In 2020, the Ministry of Defense Production reorganized and merged the Military Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (established in 1972), Armament Research & Development Establishment (established in 1974), and the military-funded Institute of Optronics (established in 1984) as Directorate-General Research & Development Establishment.^[3]

The DGRDE provides combat support capabilities and tactical support to the Pakistani military during combat operations as well as working to deter the external threats.^[2] The DGRDE funds the projects that collaborates with academia and private industry to develop equipment, vehicles and technology. This reduces dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthens national security.^[4][5]

Products and services

Products created by RDE include the following:^[6][7]

• UAVs (VTOL Hybrid Surveillance System, Loitering Munition)
• Multi Grenade Launcher (MGL) - 40 MM
• Multi Channel Exploder (MCE)
• RPG-7 Rocket Launcher (Practice rounds, enhanced penetrators)
• Zapping Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) Kits P-6
• Trailers (Armament, Missile Carrier, Torpedo)
• Blood Bank Refrigerator
• High Altitude Equipment (Thermal Vest and Drawers, Sleeping Bags, Boot Cold Weather)
• Optronics (NVG sights, Short & Medium Range Thermal Weapon Sight)
• Mine Bridging (Mole Plough for tanks)
• Training Simulators
• Design Centre
• Material Testing