NEW DELHI: The DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) organized a significant event, titled ‘DRDO-Industry-Academia – Global Approach to Readiness of Indigenous Military Applications’ (DIA-GARIMA), at IIT Delhi on December 19, 2024. During the event, 10 tripartite agreements were signed between DRDO, IIT Delhi, and various industry partners, marking a significant step towards enhancing India’s indigenous defense capabilities.
The agreements include the transfer of technology for the Light Weight Bullet Resistant Jacket (ABHED), a high-energy ballistic protection jacket, to three industry partners: MIDHANI (Mishra Dhatu Nigam) in Rohtak, SMPP Pvt Ltd in Delhi, and AR Polymers (MKU) in Kanpur. These partnerships aim to boost the production of advanced ballistic materials, strengthening the country’s defense infrastructure.
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Additionally, Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) were signed for the development of Indigenous Ballistic Material with Reliance Industries Ltd. and for the limited series production of Extreme Cold Weather and Extreme Heat Protective Clothing with several partners. The companies involved in the production of Extreme Cold Weather Clothing include Aeronav Industrial Safety Appliance (Delhi), Arnaf Industries Ltd, and Arrow Garments (Tirupur). Meanwhile, the partners for the Extreme Heat Protective Clothing include Arrow Garments (Tirupur), Aeronav Industrial Safety Appliance (Delhi), and Katalyst TECHTEX Ltd (Delhi).
Ten tripartite industry agreements on the collaborative technologies have been signed between @DRDO_India, @IITDelhi and Industry Partners.https://t.co/Blsm4L2sDj pic.twitter.com/ctSLbXiKQA
— DRDO Futuristic Technology Management (@FutureTechDRDO) December 19, 2024
The agreements reflect DRDO’s ongoing commitment to integrate academia and industry into defense R&D. As part of the Ministry of Defence’s Long Term Directed Research Policy, DIA-CoEs focus on developing cutting-edge defense technologies in collaboration with Indian industries and academic institutions. This initiative aligns with the government’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat mission to achieve self-reliance in defense technology.
Since its establishment in 2017, the Joint Advanced Technology Centre of DRDO at IIT Delhi has evolved into the DIA-CoE. The center has initiated around 50 research projects, securing Rs 375 crore in funding from DRDO. These projects focus on soldier-centric innovations, including lightweight body armor, advanced aerostat materials, smart soldier jackets, and heat protection gear for firefighters. Many of these technologies also have potential civilian applications.
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The DIA-CoE has engaged over 100 faculty members and 200 research scholars to advance defense technology research, fostering a collaborative environment for innovation. The center’s research areas aim to enhance the capability and capacity of defense R&D in India.
On the sidelines of the event, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh expressed his interest in the products developed through these joint collaborations. He interacted with scientists, professors, researchers, and industry partners, congratulating them on their collective achievements and encouraging further advancements in defense technology.