Apollo Micro Systems secures DRDO laser DEW tech transfer as shares hit upper circuit again on Dec 23, 2025

Apollo Micro Systems is back in the spotlight after the defence electronics firm disclosed it has received Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) approvals for two technology transfers linked to Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) systems—an emerging capability increasingly associated with counter-drone and next-generation air-defence needs. The update fed straight into market momentum on December 23, 2025, when the stock was once again locked at the 5% upper circuit, extending a multi-session surge. ^[1]

The key development: DRDO clears two technology transfers for laser-based DEW systems

In an exchange disclosure dated December 22, 2025, Apollo Micro Systems said it received approvals from DRDO for two distinct Transfers of Technology (ToT), subject to prescribed conditions. The two ToTs cover: ^[2]

Transfer of Technology – Multi-Channel 10 kW Laser DEW System, with the technology originating from DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems & Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad ^[3]
Transfer of Technology – EO Tracking System with EO Sensors for DEW, originating from DRDO’s Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun ^[4]

The company’s disclosure and accompanying press release also specify that the 10 kW laser DEW transfer is subject to executing a Licensed Agreement for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) and meeting regulatory requirements. ^[5]

Apollo framed the approvals as a capability jump that would help it design, manufacture, and support critical DEW subsystems for defence applications—positioning the private sector company closer to a strategic technology stack typically led by state defence R&D. ^[6]

What directed energy weapons are—and why this matters now

Directed Energy Weapon systems, as described in the company’s communication, use high-powered lasers to inflict damage on targets, offering rapid, precision engagement compared with conventional kinetic systems. The press release explicitly links DEWs to threats such as UAVs, missiles, and small vehicles, highlighting why the domain is gaining attention amid evolving aerial threat scenarios. ^[7]

Industry reporting around the disclosure notes that DEWs are increasingly viewed as a component of next-generation air-defence architectures, particularly for anti-drone roles where detection, tracking, and fast engagement cycles can be decisive. ^[8]

Management commentary: anti-drone focus and “Make” category projects

In the company’s press release, Managing Director Karunakar Reddy described the DRDO approvals as a major step in the DEW domain, saying: “The receipt of these two DRDO technology transfers marks a significant milestone for Apollo Micro Systems in the Directed Energy Weapons domain.” ^[9]

Apollo also pointed to ongoing work on anti-drone systems under the ‘Make’ category for the Indian Armed Forces, including both soft-kill and hard-kill approaches (with mention of rocket-based interceptors as part of the broader counter-swarm toolkit). ^[10]

Market reaction on Dec 23: third straight upper circuit and higher trading activity

The technology-transfer catalyst quickly translated into price action.

On December 23, 2025, Apollo Micro Systems’ shares were reported locked in a 5% upper circuit again—marking the third straight session at the upper limit in some reports—around the ₹262 level. ^[11]

Coverage of the day’s tape showed elevated activity and strong demand dynamics consistent with an upper-circuit session:

Close: about ₹262.25 (+4.98%, the day’s maximum allowed rise) ^[12]
Volume/turnover: roughly 26.4 lakh shares and about ₹68.43 crore turnover, per reports tracking session data ^[13]
Upper-circuit mechanics: a freeze after hitting the circuit limit can leave buy orders unfilled when demand overwhelms supply at the price ceiling ^[14]

For context, the move followed the prior session’s reaction to the DRDO ToT disclosure. On December 22, 2025, Apollo Micro Systems hit the 5% upper circuit near ₹249.80, with reporting citing meaningful volumes across NSE and BSE before trading was halted due to the price band. ^[15]

Additional Dec 23 corporate update: equity base expansion via warrant conversion

Alongside the market momentum, another Apollo Micro Systems update circulating on December 23, 2025 involved a small equity issuance tied to warrant conversion.

According to reporting based on a regulatory filing dated December 22, 2025, the company’s Securities Allotment Committee approved the allotment of 11,696 equity shares (face value Re. 1 each) pursuant to the exercise of warrants. The report also notes receipt of the remaining warrant exercise fee of ₹10,00,008 and a corresponding increase in paid-up share capital. ^[16]

This is separate from the DRDO ToT catalyst, but it added to the day’s information flow around the company as the stock remained in focus. ^[17]

Why this story is resonating: indigenisation, private-sector execution, and the DEW race

The Apollo-DRDO development lands at the intersection of three powerful themes driving attention in India’s defence ecosystem:

Indigenous capability-building: The company itself frames the ToT approvals as aligned with defence indigenisation and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives. ^[18]
Private-sector participation: Industry reporting notes DRDO’s broader push to partner with private players to speed deployment of critical military technologies. ^[19]
Counter-drone urgency: Apollo’s emphasis on anti-drone programs—and the role DEWs can play—connects directly with the fast-changing aerial threat environment referenced in its disclosures. ^[20]

What to watch next

The approvals are a major headline—but the next phase will matter just as much:

Licensing and compliance milestones: The company’s own disclosure notes conditions around technology transfer—particularly the execution of a licensing agreement (LAToT) and regulatory requirements for at least one of the ToTs. ^[21]
Productisation and integration: Investors and defence watchers will look for evidence the transferred technologies translate into manufacturable subsystems and scalable programs, especially in anti-drone and layered air-defence contexts. ^[22]
Volatility risk after upper circuits: Multi-session upper circuits often signal intense sentiment—and can also amplify volatility once price discovery normalises. Market explainers note that circuit filters mechanically restrict trading when demand overwhelms supply at the allowed ceiling. ^[23]

As of December 23, 2025, the story is clear: Apollo Micro Systems’ DRDO-directed energy weapon technology transfers have become a defining catalyst—both for what they may enable in India’s defence tech stack and for how quickly markets are repricing the company’s perceived opportunity in advanced, indigenous weapon subsystems. ^[24]

References