The IIT Kanpur defence technology ecosystem can play a significant role in strengthening India’s indigenous military capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, calling for closer collaboration between academic institutions, the armed forces and industry.
Speaking at the launch of IIT Kanpur’s Greater Than Us campaign, Singh highlighted the strategic importance of developing domestic capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, unmanned platforms, advanced sensors, cybersecurity and space-based technologies.
The campaign aims to raise $1 billion by March 2029. According to the announcement, ₹4,155 crore, nearly half the target, has already been committed by alumni, donors, corporate partners and the government.
Singh said India’s ability to develop, adopt and continuously assess technology domestically would be crucial as emerging technologies reshape military operations.
“This requires close collaboration among the armed forces, DRDO, academic institutions, defence public sector undertakings, private industry, and startups,” he said.
IIT Kanpur Defence Technology Initiatives Gain Momentum
Singh highlighted the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence at IIT Kanpur as an example of collaboration between research institutions and the defence establishment.
He also welcomed the institute’s proposal to establish a School of Defence Technology, saying it could help translate scientific advances into technologies of strategic importance.
The minister said a proposed National Military Drone Technology Hub at IIT Kanpur, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, had made significant progress. The approval process was nearing completion, he added.
The proposed hub aims to accelerate indigenisation and innovation in military drone technologies.
Singh also highlighted IIT Kanpur’s C3i Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Hub and its medical school, pointing to their contributions to cybersecurity, healthcare and medical technology innovation.
He said research in advanced materials, semiconductors, quantum technology and environmental sustainability would be important for addressing national priorities and developing future technologies.
IIT Ecosystem Supports Over 6,000 Startups
Singh said strong higher education and research institutions were essential to India’s ambition of becoming a technologically capable and innovative nation under the government’s Viksit Bharat vision.
He cited the IIT ecosystem’s contribution to innovation and entrepreneurship, which includes support for more than 6,000 startups, 56 unicorns and nearly 5,000 patents.
The minister said institutions such as IIT Kanpur could advance India’s development by expanding scientific capabilities, strengthening the innovation ecosystem and developing solutions for society.
He linked these efforts to the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which seeks to strengthen domestic capabilities and position India as a contributor to technological development rather than merely a consumer.
₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Scheme to Support Research
Singh also referred to the government’s approval of the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, which aims to catalyse private-sector investment in research and advanced technologies.
He stressed that public policy, academic institutions and industry must work together to move research from laboratories into practical applications.
“While public policy can create an enabling environment, institutions must nurture talent and generate ideas, and industry must help translate innovations into practical applications and scale them up,” he said.
The minister’s remarks underscored the role of research institutions in connecting scientific development with industrial applications and India’s defence requirements.
