IIT Kanpur Research and Technology Park Foundation (Technopark@IITK) has announced to scale up state-of-art defence testing infrastructure in its campus.
It has entered into agreements with two Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) viz. UAS Testing Foundation and Communication (Defence) Testing Foundation over two critical domains of Defence – Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Communication Systems.
The UAS Testing Foundation is a consortium comprising HAL, BEL, BEML, Yantra India Limited (YIL), Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing and EndureAir Systems.
The Communication (Defence) Testing Foundation includes HAL, BEL, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), and BEML.
UPEIDA is the nodal agency for the mega UP Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC).
The testing infra is being established under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS), an initiative of the Department of Defence Production (DDP) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
It aims to provide accessible and high-quality testing facilities to address the needs of the domestic defence industry. UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and Technopark@IITK are integral members of both consortiums.
Prof Manindra Agrawal, IIT Kanpur Director, termed it as a significant step in strengthening India’s defence testing infra.
“This collaboration reflects IIT Kanpur’s role in enabling high-quality, accessible testing facilities that support academic research and the growth of defence industry. It will play a pivotal role in driving technological advancements, and contributing to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by advancing self-reliance in defence,” he added.
Prof Amarendra Singh, Professor-in-Charge, Technopark@IITK, said of the three defence verticals allocated to the UPDIC by the MoD, two are being established at IIT Kanpur.
“The machines and high-end equipment will be accessible to our faculty and students for research. On the other hand, MSMEs utilising this facility will have the opportunity to leverage IITK’s technical expertise to address their R&D challenges,” he noted.
In February 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of two defence corridors in India viz. Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor (TNDIC) and the UPDIC.
As part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen indigenous defence ecosystem, the MoD subsequently launched the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) to set up Central Defence Testing Facilities.
Col Sanjay Singh, Chief General Manager, UPDIC, said R&D and testing are among the most resource-intensive activities in the defence industry.
To address these needs, the MoD approved advanced testing facilities, two of which will be located in the Kanpur defence node. These testing centres are envisioned to evolve into certification centres, a role currently exclusive to defence agencies.
With more private players entering the defence ecosystem, these facilities will offer them the opportunity to test their products efficiently and ensure high-quality standards.