IIT Madras, DRDO to operate CoE for defence sector

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) will jointly operate a research centre with  Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) which will be dedicated to defence and security of the country. Initially established by DRDO, the centre is converted into a Center of Excellence and taken over by IIT Madras. It is now an interdisciplinary research group that consists of faculty and researchers from multiple departments who will undertake translational research. 

Named DRDO Industry Academia- Ramanujan Centre of Excellence (DIA-RCoE), it has been established on the ‘Long Term Directed Research Policy’ of the defence ministry. This centre will conduct research in advanced technologies and develop cutting-edge technologies for the armed forces. As per the institute’s statement, the centre will also contribute towards the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission in the defence sector. 

OR Nandagopan was recently appointed the director of DIA-RCoE; he has 35 years of experience in naval technologies and systems. He has earlier served as the director Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam. “DRDO is attaching high priority to the development of futuristic technologies and systems for defence through academia and industry. This centre will identify the strength of faculty members and industry partners and develop cutting-edge technologies and systems for our armed forces,” he said.

The center will conduct multidisciplinary research in verticals like electronics and computational systems; naval systems and technologies; advanced combat vehicle technologies; next-generation communication and networking; high power continuous wave laser sources. DRDO scientists with requisite research and technology expertise will also work with the associated faculties and researchers.

“It is an important milestone in bringing together the academia, industry and DRDO to collaborate and develop Atmanirbhar technologies for critical needs of our country.  Specifically, this will provide a first-of-its-kind opportunity for start-ups and MSMEs to participate in this critical nation building activity,” Prof V Kamakoti, director, IIT Madras, said.