IIT-GN, Army sign MoU for Armament research, Academic collaboration

Sources told The Indian Express that collaboration with top research institutes such as IITs was aimed at the procuring of cutting edge technologies for the Indian armed forces years before they are commercialised, giving it not only a step up on the modern battlefield, but helping it achieve the aim of self-reliance by reducing critical imports.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Dr Rajat Moona of IIT-Gn said, “This is an umbrella MoU to work on a wide range of sectors and specific projects will be discussed later. We will provide essential support in technologies of armament and defence products. These include research in material science, research in durability and endurance, as well as in image processing including radar and thermal images.”

On the education part, he said, “We also want educational collaboration for our students as well as theirs in exchange programmes for learning opportunities.”

Nine years ago, in 2016, the Indian Army had signed an MoU to set up a Research and Development (R&D) Cell at IIT-GN. Asked how this latest MoU would be different from the one signed in 2016, Dr Moona said, “That previous R&D centre MoU was around the energy sector. We were working on hydrogen cells. We had also worked on bullet proof armour through 3D printing technology with lighter materials, made to be more or as effective as existing jackets. However, the current MoU will focus on material science, computer science, and electrical engineering.”

This is the second, most recent MoU by IIT-GN in the defence sector, having signed a pact with Adani Defence and Aerospace just last year, in May 2024. When asked about partnership with private industry, Moona said, “The Adani Defence MoU was product-oriented to provide tech support in defence. Our strength is R&D but not manufacturing, so we need help from industry. We have a few more MoUs lined up for R&D in the start-up ecosystem and are already in talks with some of them. Energy is a very important sector like propellers for delivery systems that we are working on currently.”

A statement from the Defence Wing of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said, “IIT Gandhinagar in collaboration with the Indian Army and its associated institutes will assess and focus on working on specific requirements of the Indian Army through innovation, training, internship opportunities, research, capability and knowledge building, resource sharing, certification, technology incubation, undertaking joint projects, towards meeting operational requirements and addressing Indian Army Problem Statement.”

The statement added, “This MoU will enable the participation of Army personnel in IIT Gandhinagar’s academic programmes, seminars, webinars, conferences, workshops on niche technology and expert interactions, thereby enhancing their technical acumen and innovation mindset.”