The department was established in 1980 as an effort to strengthen defense research and development in different areas.

The department formulates and implements programs of scientific research, design, and development in the fields of relevance to national security leading to the induction of new weapons, platforms, and other equipment required by the armed services. In addition, it is the nodal agency for the implementation of major development programs of relevance to defense through the integration of research, development, testing, and production facilities with national scientific institutions, public sector undertakings, and other agencies.

Sources:
[1] "Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO)," Federation of American Scientists, www.fas.org;
[2] "About the Ministry," http://mod.nic.in.