IIT Mandi Spearheads Innovation in Defence Technology through Collaboration
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The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi recently organized the G20-S20 Meet Academia, a four-day event focused on fostering collaborative partnerships between academia, defence public sector undertakings, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and the Armed Forces. The event centered around the theme of “Technology for Defence” and aimed to enhance technological development through a joint approach. Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi, emphasized the importance of engaging various stakeholders, including academia, R&D institutions, industries, startups, and the Armed Forces, to facilitate the exchange of innovative ideas. This blog highlights the key discussions and initiatives taken during the event, underlining IIT Mandi’s commitment to contributing to the defence sector.
Building an Ecosystem for Innovation:
Dr. Rajnish Sharma and Air Vice Marshal PKH Sinha (Retd), the strategic advisor of IIT Mandi, organised the event. They emphasised the need of an ecosystem that fosters innovation and the advancement of military technologies. AVM Sinha highlighted the four pillars of the Defence sector: academia, DRDO, industry, and the Armed Forces. He stressed the importance of synergy among these pillars to establish a strong foundation for critical emerging technologies (iCET) initiatives. AVM Sinha expressed confidence that the Technology for Defence event would bolster India’s vision of self-reliance (Atmanirbhar) in defence technology.
Guest Talks and Collaborative Opportunities:
The event featured guest talks from distinguished speakers representing DRDO and public sector units, shedding light on the significance of technology in defence. Dr. Satish Kumar, Chairman of the ARMREB at DRDO, discussed the importance of collaboration between academia, R&D, and industry in achieving self-reliance in critical defence technologies. Dr. Vikas Kumar, Chairman of the Aeronautics Research & Development Board at DRDO, emphasized sustainability as a crucial pillar for growth and encouraged researchers to collaborate with DRDO to achieve the goal of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Noteworthy Initiatives and Discussions:
During a discussion session, AVM Sinha mentioned an improvement proposed by Dr. Gajendra Singh, a faculty member at IIT Mandi, which was appreciated by the Commander of Base Repair Depot, Chandigarh. The proposed enhancement aims to improve the load carrying capacity and delivery of supplies in the rope release mechanism of Indian Air Force helicopters. Other key talks at the event covered topics such as terminal ballistics, mountain hazard management in the Indian Himalaya, chem-biodefence, and the roles and responsibilities of Bharat Electronics Limited.
IIT Mandi’s Contribution to Defence Research:
IIT Mandi has been actively involved in defence research and innovation. Recently, a team from the institute developed an artificial material that renders stealth vehicles and establishments less visible to radar. This transparent material, suitable for window or glass panels, has the potential to reduce radar cross-section (RCS) and absorb unwanted radiation leakages. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between IIT Mandi and the Headquarters Maintenance Command (HQ MC) Nagpur of the Indian Air Force to collaborate on research projects in areas like decision support systems, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interface. These efforts align with the government’s goal of achieving self-reliance and establishing an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Final Thoughts:
The G20-S20 Meet Academia organized by IIT Mandi provided a platform for fruitful discussions and collaborations among academia, DRDO, DPSUs, and the Armed Forces to drive technological advancements in the defence sector. The event underscored the importance of synergistic partnerships and knowledge exchange to bolster India’s self-reliance in critical defence technologies. IIT Mandi’s active involvement in defence research and its innovative contributions further exemplify the institute’s commitment to supporting the government’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. Through such collaborative initiatives, India is poised to strengthen its position in defence technology and pave the way for a secure future.