(File photo for representation.)
New Delhi: The Indian Army is currently overseeing more than 230 projects involving cutting-edge, indigenous defence technologies as part of its effort to incorporate innovative solutions into its operational framework. These projects are being carried out in partnership with universities, research and development organizations, and startups, according to officials in the defence establishment.
In recent years, the Army has been tapping into the nation's intellectual resources to develop homegrown defence technologies.
According to the officials, who did not want to be named, this collaboration between the Army, academia, and startups is poised to elevate India’s defence capabilities to new never-before levels. Over the past several years, the Army has launched numerous initiatives to engage with the broader technology ecosystem. These efforts are primarily spearheaded by the Army Design Bureau (ADB) and the Army Technology Board (ATB), along with other key entities.
The ATB, which managed only 17 projects in 2022, is now overseeing 62 projects across 13 niche technology domains. These include areas such as ramjet projectiles, low-light imaging, and sensor-fused munitions, amongst others, according to the sources.
One official noted that these projects, valued at approximately ₹228 crore, involve 23 academic institutions.
It is worth noting that the ATB provides a platform to harness the technological expertise of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT). This expertise is channelled into practical solutions and products for the Army, focusing on projects with short development periods that can enhance the efficiency of its troops.
Indigenization and research & development (IR&D) projects under the Army’s seven commands have also experienced significant growth. An official revealed that the number of IR&D projects has surged from 18 in 2022 to 176 this year. These projects are valued at a total of ₹59 crore and involve 14 academic and technology institutes.
Established in 2016, the ADB serves as an interface between the Army, industry, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and academia. According to the Army, the ADB has forged connections with over 200 top technology institutions and 50 premier R&D organizations across the country.
Officials stated that this outreach has deepened the Army’s understanding of the dual-use technologies being researched and the capabilities available within the technology innovation hubs of these institutions.
