IIT-Madras to showcase initiatives for critical defence technologies at DefExpo

The Institute has taken the lead to transfer knowhow and collaborate with the Armed Forces and the defence Sector and further the 'Make in India' concept in defence technology.

In a first-of-its kind initiative, IIT-M has set up a stall at the DefExpo to connect with the defence industry at the grassroot levels.

A release from IIT-M on Tuesday said it has been open to partnerships with various sections of defence industry and assist them in developing cutting edge technologies to help the Armed Forces.

Speaking about the IIT-M participation in the DefExpo, Prof Ravindra Gettu, Dean (Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT-M, said "We are ready and eager to work with companies in the defence sector and the Armed Forces to develop relevant solutions for enhancing the security of our nation."

He said the IIT-M has joined hands with Bharat Shakti (a platform for defence industry) to conduct a seminar on "Technology Perspectives for the Armed Forces tomorrow.

Artificial Intelligence and impact on battle field, infrastructure technology for border areas, energy for Armed Forces, enhancing the battle field space, secure communications for the Armed Forces and Space Based Surveillance would be covered during the seminar to be conducted by experts of IIT-M.

Elaborating on the IIT-M's participation in the expo, Prof PA Ramakrishna, Department of Aerospace Engineering, said this gives the IIT-M faculty, the opportunity to exhibit their contribution towards defense technology.

About 100 MS, M.Techm, Ph.D students of various disciplines, who were attending the newly introduced course on 'Overview of Defence Technologies', would be interacting with the defence industry to complete their field projects.

They would have a special session with the industry and senior officers of the Armed Forces for operational orientation.

The 10th edition of the Defence Expo, to be held from tomorrow to April 14 at Thiruvidanthai, about 50 km Chennai city, would be formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 12.

The four-day exhibition will showcase the strengths of India's defence public sector and uncover the country's growing private industry.

It will see participation from more than 40 countries including the US, the UK, Russia, Afghanistan and Sweden, Finland, Italy, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Portugal, Seychelles and Vietnam.