IIT Kanpur signs pact with Indian Army to enhance training, develop drones, UAVs

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) has signed an agreement with the Indian Army’s headquarters central command to develop a Remote Piloting Training Module (RPTM) and Software-in-the-Loop Simulator (SITL) as a system for drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

The objective of the agreement is to boost the Indian Army’s training capabilities by integrating advanced simulation technologies, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and minimising risks.

Manindra Agrawal, director of IIT Kanpur, said: “This collaboration with the Indian Army showcases our expertise in aerospace engineering and simulation, enabling the development of next-generation training systems. With our strong research foundation and state-of-the-art infrastructure, IIT Kanpur is committed to becoming a leading hub for drone technology, driving India’s self-reliance in defence and aerospace innovation.”

The project is set to be completed within six months and it will lay the groundwork for future collaborations between the Indian Army and academia in defense technology development, the institute said.

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A UAV lab at the engineering institute will be established in collaboration with VU Dynamics, it added.

Lieutenant general Anindya Sengupta; General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of central command, along with IIT Kanpur faculty members GM Kamath, head of the department of aerospace engineering, Subrahmanyam Saderla, associate professor in the department of aerospace engineering, were all present at the signing ceremony.

Subrahmanyam Saderla said: “The RPTM and SITL modules will simulate real-world conditions to train operators in flying and managing drones, reducing the need for costly real-time exercises while ensuring precision and safety. The simulator will replicate a range of operational scenarios, including reconnaissance, surveillance, and tactical strikes, providing operators with hands-on experience in a controlled virtual environment.”