Establishing Defence and Strategic Technologies Ecosystem in India: Role of Academics

(The Report outlined below is based on a three member VIF delegation’s visit to IIT Madras from 1-3 September 2024, during which VIF and IIT-Madras signed an MoU for promoting greater academic cooperation. The VIF delegation also visited several laboratories and Research Park at the institute, where they had extensive interactions with technological leads. The report has been prepared by Dr. Saroj Bishoyi, VIF)

The world is currently at the cusp of a new era, shaped by advancements in technology and the changing nature of warfare.^[1] Technology is now driving the industrial growth and Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). As global geopolitical tensions intensify, the necessity for technology innovation and integration of “cutting-edge research within military frameworks is paramount for maintaining strategic advantages”. ^[2] There is also “need for amalgamation of present technologies and investment in future emerging technologies”. ^[3] In this geopolitical landscape, the Indian military seeks to “adapt to rapidly evolving geopolitical threats and opportunities” and “preparing for present and emerging challenges, ensuring a progressive, resilient, and future-ready force aligned with India’s strategic interests”. ^[4] Hence, establishing a resilient defence and strategic technologies manufacturing ecosystem in the country has never been important than today. This is imperative for achieving national defence and strategic priorities.

For establishing such an ecosystem, the academics are set to play a critical role. In this endeavour, the Indian government has taken several favourable policy initiatives in recent years, including simplified policy processes and directly funding academic institutions for deep technology projects. ^[5] Notably, closer collaborations among defence personnel, professors, and industry experts are taking place for driving innovation and solving practical problems together; quality control in manufacturing processes improving; more priority is also being given to procure items from domestic sources to fortify local industries and strengthen domestic supply chain. Moreover, interactions among academia, industry and armed forces are improving which will help to adapt to rapidly evolving needs and strategic thinking.

Despite significant strides, India faces several challenges and a lot needs to be done to set up a robust defence and strategic technologies ecosystem in the country. In this context, there is need of advanced technical education, training and skill development programmes, focus on fundamental and applied research, infrastructure development, better resource allocation, timely and sustained funding for cutting-edge R&D, intellectual property rights protection, addressing the problem of brain drain, streamlining procurement procedures, joint work culture development among others are essential for creating a conducive atmosphere for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem in the country.

Promoting Academic Exchanges and Activities

For better understanding the role of academics in S&T research and promoting greater academic cooperation, a three member VIF delegation, namely Dr Arvind Gupta, Director; Lt Gen Ravi Sawhney, Senior Fellow & Centre Head, National Security and Strategic Studies & Internal Security Studies; and, Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, visited Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) from 1-3 September 2024. During the visit, the two sides discussed various issues pertaining to Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), critical to realize the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, for establishing defence and strategic technologies in the country. A major outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the VIF and IIT Madras for promoting intellectual, professional, educational exchanges and conducting academic activities. Dr Arvind Gupta and Prof Kamakoti Veezhinathan, Director, IIT Madras signed the MoU on 3 September 2024.

Research on Next Generation Defence Technology Projects

Earlier on 2 September 2024, Prof Ramakrishna P. A., Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras, in his presentation highlighted some of the ongoing next generation defence projects like drone and the Ramjet-powered artillery shells that IIT Madras has undertaken in the last few years. The ramjet technology is being developed for the shells as no such technology currently exists in the world today. This technology is unique in the sense that it makes use of the existing shell design for the front part and looks to replace the base bleed unit with a ramjet attachment. Currently, advanced level tests are being carried out and further testing will be carried out at the school of artillery with the gun provided by the Indian Army for the same following the difficulties faced by IIT Madras in its testing at PXE Balasore. The capabilities of this technology are as explained in the table below for various gun systems currently used by India.

It was noted that because of the ongoing war in Ukraine, there is paucity of artillery shells. For India to be battle ready, it needs to prioritize manufacturing artillery shells at mass scale because ammunitions are going to be a big factor in future warfare.

Prof Ramakrishna also spoke about the recently signing of an MoU between National Defence College (NDC), an apex inter-services training institute at New Delhi, and IIT Madras which would offer an Executive MBA Programme in ‘Strategic Leadership and Public Policy’. Currently, about hundred experts and startups are working on various defence technology projects, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) based systems at the IIT Madras. They also have ongoing projects with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Prof Ramakrishna said that this was possible due to the capability of the faculty of IIT Madras working in tandem with some of the startups in the research park of IIT Madras. It was however noted that short-tenure of the officers affecting the key projects. A new officer may not always share the same philosophy or objectives and its requirement. So, the projects get delayed.

Further, he brought out that the technology levels of some of the products developed were quite high and it has been possible primarily due to the financial and other necessary support provided by the Indian Army and the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Furthermore, acceleration in the development of the next generation ammunition would be possible with setting up of the proposed Centre for Ammunition Research and Development (CARD) at the institute. He informed that a proposed MoU along with the statement of case has been submitted to the office of Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Ministry of Defence. He sought support in pushing the case for the same with the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force and other stake holders.

Research on Strategic Technologies

The VIF delegation visited several laboratories or facilities and Research Park at the IIT Madras, including Centre for Innovation (CFI), where young engineers demonstrated various products that they indigenously designed, developed and manufactured; 3D printing demo was given by Prof Murugaiyan Amirthalingam, where 3D printing’s role in medical science drew particular attention. Scientist in charge at the Centre for Computational Brain Research explained about their cutting-edge research on better preserving brain and the important breakthrough the Centre achieved in this area, which will help address various brain related diseases, which were not possible earlier.

At the India Centre for Lab Grown Diamond (InCent-LGD), Prof MS Rao demonstrated increasing demand for artificial diamonds and their potential use in emerging technologies like semiconductors. Prof R. Vijay Kumar demonstrated Ocean Engineering Simulator in the Ocean Engineering Department’s facilities. The delegation then visited Gas Dynamics Lab, where Prof G. Rajesh, Department of Aerospace Engineering, demonstrated shock wave dynamics and high-speed flows technology.

The VIF delegation also visited other laboratories and research park such as Rockets and Missiles Lab; Agnikul Cosmos; Centre of Excellence in Wireless Technology (CEWiT); and, Pravartak Technologies Foundation. On the last lag of the visit, the delegation visited Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC), a joint initiative of IIT Madras and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, which has developed technologies that can monitor patients, do surgery digitally. The theme of this department is ‘virtual you’. The Centre, which is currently headed by Prof Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, showed health technologies that offer fast and cost-effective treatment solutions such as blood testing, vitamin deficiency testing, etc. It was observed that scaling up these indigenously designed, developed and manufactured technologies would immensely benefit the citizens of India.

At the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre (AMTDC), Prof N. Ramesh Babu, Department of Mechanical Engineering, demonstrated advanced machines, robotics and system thinking. The AMTDC’s main focus area is on machine tools, which is a complex system of several interacting systems. It focuses on the areas such as precision machine design; structural analysis of machine structure and sub-assemblies; and, volumetric error mapping and compensation.

Significance of Setting Up CARD and I3CDS

Prof Ramakrishna P. A., Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras; Prof Ratna Kumar Annabattula, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras; and, Rear Admiral Deepak Bansal, Professor of Practice, IIT Madras, in their presentations highlighted the initiatives taken up to set up Centre for Ammunition Research and Development (CARD) and Invention, Innovation, Indigenisation Centre for Defence Systems (I3CDS) at the IIT Madras. They emphasized important contribution that these can make towards the national goal of setting up STI ecosystem in the country. Currently, the CARD initiative is headed by Prof Ramakrishna, while Prof Ratna Kumar heads the I3CDS initiative. As mentioned above, the CARD aims to develop cutting-edge futuristic ammunition technologies and make India battle ready and self-sufficient. In this regard, it looks to work with in-house multidisciplinary expertise in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) Labs, ISRO, other IITs and stakeholders.

Prof Ratna Kumar in his presentation underlined the significance of setting up I3CDS at the IIT Madras. He said that the focus of I3CDS is innovation and indigenization, and its R&D looks to develop future technologies. It would enhance national security by reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and ensuring a steady supply of critical defence technologies. Its objective is to contribute to the defence manufacturing sector and help achieve national goal of moving from net arms importer to net arms exporter. It will establish training programmes to build a skilled workforce capable of developing and maintaining cutting-edge defence technologies. In this endeavour, it looks to work with all the stakeholders including government agencies, private industries, research institutions and academia. It also looks to upscale various defence MSMEs by partnering on defence and dual-use technologies. The civilian application of defence technologies would contribute to economic growth and development.

It was observed that the IIT Madras has a well-established ecosystem for setting up CARD and I3CDS. In this ecosystem, they are able to generate several startups. The startup ecosystem of the IIT Madras is now valued around Rs 45,000 crore, which is growing every day.

Building Domestic Supply Chains

In the ongoing geopolitical conflicts and potential supply chain disruptions, the significance of setting up domestic supply chains were underlined during the discussion where academic institutions like IIT Madras are poised to make valuable contributions. It was underlined that timely funding on ongoing projects and once the project is completed, placing order is very important which will help build domestic supply chain ecosystem. It was observed that some of the Alumni’s have made big financial and technical contributions. So, Alumni’s of IIT Madras can also contribute in this regard, and they need to be appealed to. At the same time, the necessity of teaching young minds about the role of S&T for society was highlighted where the VIF can contribute in carrying out training courses, internships, improvement of graduate and undergraduate programmes for students as well as research staff. In addition, the VIF also does civilization studies. Studying Indian philosophy, Ayurveda and Indian mathematics were stressed, and Indian philosophy would help the students and research staff understanding today’s complex world, ongoing conflicts and finding peace.

Recommendations

• The VIF and IIT Madras have agreed to work together to promote intellectual, professional, educational exchanges and conduct academic activities, including research, teaching, training, conferences, and seminars. Two members from each side will meet periodically to review the progress made on the agreed areas of cooperation.
• The VIF extended invitation to Prof Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras to speak at the VIF and share his perspective on emerging technologies and safeguards that need to be built in from the very inception.
• The VIF also extended invitation to Prof Ramesh Babu to jointly conduct a seminar at the VIF regarding the Advanced Machine Tools, especially the challenges being faced in breading the strong stranglehold of foreign players.
• On setting up of CARD and I3CDS at the IIT Madras, the VIF recommends that the CARD and I3CDS initiatives should be supported at the policy level and also financially. The initiatives will significantly contribute to build domestic supply chain in critical technology domains and are in national interest.
• Though the representative from IIT Madras have already met concerned individuals in the MoD, NSCS, DRDO and NITI Aayog. But it was suggested that a team from the IIT Madras can approach the concerned authorities to get approval for setting up the I3CDS which is an effort in the national interest.
• In this context, the VIF can organize joint conference to discuss on these matters. Now, IIT Madras is ready to offer 5,000 square feet of land on rent for setting up I3CDS, subject to CDS or DMA or IHQ, MoD consent.
• It was recommended that the CARD should set up an advisory board with people drawn from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Private Industries and Academic experts, who can contribute in achieving the objectives of CARD.
• Finally, young engineers, scientists, professors and their startups demonstrated the innovation landscape and successes achieved so far in various domains, including 5G technology, 3D printing, Brain Research, Health-tech, Drones, and defence technology. These cutting-edge research areas have immense value for the nation. Scaling up production and their deployment would contribute to achieving national vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Endnotes

^[1] “Emerging Military Innovation Trends Shaping Modern Warfare”, by Editorial Team, Military Research, 1 July 2024 at Emerging Military Innovation Trends Shaping Modern Warfare - Total Military Insight
^[2] Note 1; and, “Emerging Future Warfare Technologies: Shaping Modern Combat”, by Editorial Team, Military Science, 14 July 2024 at Emerging Future Warfare Technologies: Shaping Modern Combat - Total Military Insight
^[3] “Technology is driving the Revolution in Military Affairs: Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan”, Press Information Bureau (PIB), New Delhi, 11 May 2024 at Press Release: Press Information Bureau
^[4] “Army Commanders’ Conference Concludes: External Affairs Minister Addresses Senior Leadership of Indian Army”, PIB, Delhi, 29 October 2024 at Press Release: Press Information Bureau
^[5] “Advancing Defence Ecosystem in India: Role of Academia and Industry”, ICFAI online, 1 May 2023 at Advancing Defence Ecosystem in India - Role of Academia and Industry - by Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy

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