DEAL was founded in 1965 in Mussoorie (Uttar Pradesh); it was then known as the Himalayan Radio Propagation Unit. In 1968, the lab was shifted from Mussoorie to Dehradun (Uttar Pradesh)* and in 1976 renamed as the Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL). Since then, DEAL has expanded into a "major system laboratory" of the DRDO.

*Dehradun is now the capital of Uttaranchal, a new province that was carved out of Uttar Pradesh province in November 2000.

DEAL has developed:

• "Jam-resistant data links for applications in real-time transmission of battlefield information for effective control of airborne platforms, target tracking and acquisition, and also in reconnaissance and surveillance using remotely piloted vehicles."
• Microwave scanning antenna, which is part of the "terminal guidance system" used in ballistic missiles developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.
• Command transmitter for the naval version of the Trishul short-range surface-to-air missile system.

Sources:
[1] Defence Research & Development Organisation, "Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory," www.drdo.org;
[2] Dr. N.C. Birla and B.S. Murthy, eds., "Seekers, Antennas, Pyrosystems, Devices, and Electronic Subsystems," Indian Defence Technology: Missile Systems (DRDO, Ministry of Defence, December 1998), pp. 173, 178-179.