IIT Kanpur, DRDO jointly inaugurate centre of excellence in defence technologies

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, in partnership with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), inaugurated the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA CoE) for interdisciplinary research in defence technologies. The centre aims to lead focused research in various defence verticals, such as advanced nanomaterials, accelerated material design, high-energy materials, and bioengineering.

The DIA CoE inauguration event witnessed participation from research coordinators at IIT Kanpur, senior DRDO scientists, and faculty members.

Sanjay Tandon, former director of the Institute of Technology Management (ITM) at Mussoorie, has been appointed as the director of the centre of excellence at IIT Kanpur.

Manindra Agrawal, director of IIT Kanpur, stated, "Collaborative efforts among academia, industry, and DRDO are crucial in advancing defence technology for self-reliance. The DIA CoE initiative aligns perfectly with DRDO's strategy, enhancing collaboration for technology development. With evolving times, advancing defence technology is crucial for achieving true self-reliance as Atmanirbhar Bharat."

Samir V Kamat, secretary of the department of defence Research and Development (R&D) and chairman of DRDO, stated, "The centre holds immense potential in indigenizing strategic technologies for long-term defence needs, accelerating the development of futuristic defence systems."

N Ranjana, director of the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM), DRDO, said, "Long-term research investments are vital for defence technology, planting seeds for future security and critical technological advancements necessary for national defence. This will expedite the development of futuristic defence materials, reducing the typical 10-15 year timeline."