Rajnath Singh calls for stronger IIT–defence industry collaboration, IIT Kanpur drone hub nears approval

Kanpur: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 14 calls for closer collaboration between India’s academic institutions, armed forces, DRDO, defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) and private industry, saying IITs can significantly contribute to national security by aligning research with operational military requirements.

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Speaking at the launch of IIT Kanpur’s ‘Greater Than Us’ fundraising campaign in New Delhi, Singh highlights the strategic importance of indigenous capabilities as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, unmanned platforms, advanced sensors, cybersecurity and space-based technologies reshape modern warfare.

The key development is the proposed National Military Drone Technology Hub at IIT Kanpur, being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. Singh says the proposal has made significant progress and its approval process is nearing completion. The hub aims to accelerate indigenisation and innovation in military drone technology.

Singh also welcomes the proposal to establish a School of Defence Technologies at IIT Kanpur and highlights the institute’s existing DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence. He says closer cooperation can bring scientific expertise, defence operational experience and industrial capabilities together to develop technologies tailored to India’s military needs.

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Emphasising the need for sustained investment in research, Singh also points to the government-approved ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme, intended to catalyse private-sector investment in advanced technologies. The broader push seeks to strengthen India’s ability to develop and produce strategic technologies domestically under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat framework.

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