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DRDO Unveils SWaDeS: A Portable Seawater Desalination System to Boost Water Security for Armed Forces

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur, has successfully developed the Sea Water Desalination System (SWaDeS)—a compact, portable solution designed to provide potable water to Indian armed forces deployed in remote and challenging environments.

Developed in early 2026, SWaDeS is a self-contained desalination unit capable of converting seawater and brackish water into drinking water, significantly enhancing operational self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on external water supply chains.

Key Features and Capabilities

  • Dual Variants: SWaDeS is available in two configurations—a manual hand-operated version and an engine-operated model—offering flexibility based on mission requirements and terrain.
  • High Purification Capacity: The engine-driven variant can treat water with Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels as high as 35,000mg/L and reduce it to below 500mg/L, meeting potable water standards.
  • Exceptional Portability: The manual variant is lightweight and compact enough to be carried by a single soldier, ensuring immediate access to drinking water during patrols and forward deployments.
  • Rapid Deployment: The system can be made operational within 2–3 minutes, providing quick and reliable water access in emergency and field conditions.
  • Wide Operational Applicability: SWaDeS is ideally suited for coastal and island regions, as well as arid and high-altitude environments such as Pangong Tso.

Designed to support approximately 10–25 soldiers, SWaDeS addresses a critical logistical challenge in military operations by ensuring safe drinking water without the need for heavy infrastructure or continuous resupply.

The development of SWaDeS aligns with the Government of India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, reinforcing DRDO’s commitment to indigenous, mission-ready defence technologies that enhance the operational effectiveness of the Indian armed forces.

With SWaDeS, DRDO continues to strengthen India’s defence preparedness through innovation, sustainability, and self-reliance.