Rajnath Singh pushes Defence-Academia ties to advance indigenous military technology

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for closer collaboration among the armed forces, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), academic institutions, defence public sector undertakings and private industry to accelerate the development and deployment of indigenous military technologies, as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, drones, advanced sensors and cybersecurity reshape modern warfare.

Addressing the launch of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur’s ‘Greater Than Us’ fundraising campaign in New Delhi, Singh said strengthening indigenous technological capabilities was essential to meeting the evolving requirements of national security. He stressed that academic research must be aligned with the operational needs of the armed forces and the requirements of the defence industry.

The campaign aims to raise $1 billion by March 2029, making it the largest fundraising drive undertaken by an IIT, according to the institute. Commitments of Rs 4,155 crore, nearly half the target, have already been secured from alumni, donors, corporate partners and the government.

The funds are intended to strengthen research infrastructure, nurture talent and accelerate the development and commercialisation of indigenous technologies and innovations, supporting India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Singh highlighted the role of higher education and research institutions in advancing the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, which he described as central to the broader ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision. He said India must move beyond being a consumer of knowledge and technology to becoming an active contributor to their creation.

Citing the IIT ecosystem’s support for more than 6,000 start-ups, 56 unicorns and nearly 5,000 patents, the Defence Minister said the institutions were increasingly contributing to innovation, entrepreneurship and technological development.

He said IITs could help strengthen scientific capabilities, expand the innovation ecosystem and develop solutions to challenges facing the country and society.

Singh also welcomed the proposal to establish a School of Defence Technologies at IIT Kanpur and referred to the institute’s DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence as an example of collaboration between research institutions and the defence establishment.

On the proposed National Military Drone Technology Hub at IIT Kanpur, to be established in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, Singh said the initiative had made progress and its approval process was nearing completion. The proposed hub is intended to accelerate the indigenisation of drone technologies and strengthen India’s military capabilities.

He expressed confidence that closer partnerships between academia and the armed forces would bring scientific expertise, institutional research capabilities and operational experience together to develop technologies of strategic importance.

The Defence Minister also highlighted IIT Kanpur’s potential role in strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s industrial ecosystem, saying the institute could bridge the gap between scientific research and industrial application. He said its technological expertise, combined with Kanpur’s industrial legacy, could generate opportunities for entrepreneurship, employment, investment and economic growth, contributing to the state’s ambition of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.

Referring to the C3i Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Hub and the institute’s medical school, Singh highlighted the scope for research and innovation in cybersecurity, healthcare and medical technology. He also identified advanced materials, semiconductors, quantum technology and environmental sustainability as areas requiring sustained research to address national priorities and develop future technologies.

Stressing the need for greater investment in research and innovation, Singh referred to the government-approved Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme, which aims to catalyse private-sector investment in research and advanced technologies.

He said public policy could provide an enabling environment, but research institutions must nurture talent and generate ideas, while industry must translate innovations into practical applications and scale them up.

Singh expressed confidence that the fundraising campaign would expand IIT Kanpur’s research capabilities, create opportunities for talented students and support solutions to national and global challenges. He urged alumni, industry representatives, philanthropic supporters and institutional partners to contribute through financial assistance, mentorship, research partnerships and professional networks.

IIT Kanpur Director Prof Manindra Agrawal, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and faculty members, students and alumni attended the event.