New Delhi, January 08, 2026: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed SWaDeS (Sea Water Desalination System), a portable water purification solution designed to meet the operational needs of soldiers deployed in remote and challenging terrains. The system is capable of converting seawater and brackish water into potable drinking water without dependence on electricity or fixed infrastructure.
SWaDeS has been developed to function in real battlefield and field conditions, where access to clean drinking water remains a persistent challenge. The system uses desalination and purification technology to remove salts and impurities, making water safe for human consumption in coastal, island, and arid regions.
A key feature of SWaDeS is its portability. DRDO has designed both powered and hand-operated variants, with the manual version being lightweight enough for a single soldier to carry and operate independently. This makes the system suitable for use during patrols, forward deployments, and emergency situations where logistical supply lines are limited or disrupted.
According to available information, the system is intended to support soldiers operating in isolated locations such as islands, deserts, and high-risk operational zones where conventional water supply mechanisms are not feasible. By enabling on-site purification of locally available water sources, SWaDeS is expected to reduce dependence on water transportation and improve operational self-sufficiency.
The development of SWaDeS aligns with DRDO’s broader objective of strengthening indigenous defence technologies and enhancing soldier sustenance and survivability in extreme conditions. The portable desalination system is also seen as a potential asset during disaster relief operations, where access to safe drinking water is critical and infrastructure is damaged or unavailable.
With SWaDeS, DRDO adds another field-ready innovation focused on practical, soldier-centric requirements, reinforcing India’s efforts to equip its armed forces with robust and adaptable support systems.
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