ISRO targets indigenous semiconductor production in 4 years
Ahmedabad, Feb 27: Under the Centre’s Semiconductor Mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation is working to achieve indigenous semiconductor manufacturing within the next four years, aiming to meet its internal mission requirements and reduce reliance on imports, officials said during an interaction organised by the Press Information Bureau.
The ISRO centre at Ahmedabad has emerged as the epicentre of this strategic mission with dedicated teams in the Division of RF Devices and Packaging Development, headed by Shantanu Sinha, working round the clock to strengthen indigenous capabilities in semiconductor technology.
Interacting with journalists from Jammu, Punjab and Chandigarh during their visit to Gujarat organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), officials informed that the semiconductor programme is progressing at full pace.
The immediate focus is to manufacture chips required for ISRO’s own missions and satellite systems, thereby reducing dependence on external sources.
Officials disclosed that semiconductor packaging activities at the centre began in 2019, marking the first major step towards self-reliance. The next phase aims at fabrication of semiconductors, which will be followed by indigenous production of ceramic sheets used in packaging materials.
Under the “Built in India” push of the national Semiconductor Mission, ISRO is leveraging Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, considered crucial for high-frequency and high-power applications.
The technology is expected to play a transformative role in the rollout and advancement of 5G and upcoming 6G mobile communication networks.
Significantly, ISRO has also shifted its focus towards manufacturing semiconductor fabrication equipment within India.
At present, much of this equipment is imported but the move to indigenise machinery is seen as a key step in building a complete domestic semiconductor ecosystem.
With sustained efforts and strategic planning, ISRO’s Ahmedabad centre is positioning itself at the forefront of India’s semiconductor self-reliance drive.
