DRDO and MIDHANI Sign MoU to Develop Special Grade Steel for Aeronautical Applications.

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a key lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with public sector enterprise MIDHANI for the indigenous development of high-strength, high-toughness special grade steel “MDN100” for aeronautical applications, including the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The MoU was inked during the recently concluded Aero India 2025, with DRDO highlighting the steel’s excellent forgeability and potential for use in highly stressed aircraft components, offering significant weight-saving benefits.

The initiative aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, furthering self-reliance in defence manufacturing. MIDHANI has been a key supplier of critical materials for DRDO and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in various aeronautical projects. At the Aero India event, the company also showcased SuperNi 41 plates, a nickel-chromium-based superalloy capable of withstanding extreme temperatures in aero engines.

ADA, the nodal agency for combat aircraft development in India, is spearheading the AMCA project. Other major programmes currently under ADA’s purview include the LCA Mk2, AMCA, and the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) for the Indian Navy.

HBL