Indian Army, SAMEER, and MeitY Unite for Technological Advancement
In a recent development, the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), the Indian Army, and the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), an R&D laboratory under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), have forged a strategic partnership. This collaboration aims to advance ‘Next Generation Wireless Technologies for the Indian Army’.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Lt Gen K H Gawas, Commandant of MCTE and Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Signals, and Dr P H Rao, Director General of SAMEER. The event was graced by Shri S K Marwaha, Group Coordinator of MeitY, and Maj Gen C S Mann, AVSM, VSM, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, highlighting the initiative’s strategic significance for national defence and technological innovation.
This partnership is a crucial step in enhancing the Indian Army’s technological prowess, aligning with the vision for 2024 as the ‘Year of Technological Absorption for the Indian Army’ declared by the Chief of Army Staff.
The MoU heralds the establishment of an ‘Advanced Military Research and Incubation Centre’ at MCTE, focusing on Advanced Wireless Technologies for the Indian Army. This collaboration goes beyond a mere agreement, symbolizing a shared commitment to exploring new technological frontiers and addressing modern battlefield challenges. By combining SAMEER’s expertise in wireless technologies with MCTE’s capabilities in communications, electronic warfare, and cyber operations, this partnership promises significant advancements in defence and strategic sectors.
Key objectives of the partnership include:
1. Joint Research and Development: Collaborative projects will focus on deployable solutions, leveraging combined expertise in 5G, 6G, advanced cellular technologies, Software Defined Radios & Cognitive Radios, Satellite Communications, Antenna Design, Free Space Optics, Tropo-scatter communications, AI, Quantum, and military-specific chip design.
2. Incubation Centre: This centre will support the development of military-specific innovative solutions from conceptualization to large-scale production, involving MSMEs and start-ups.
3. Knowledge Exchange and Training: The MoU also aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, training, and development.
The collaboration is set to enhance national security and technological infrastructure, with potential benefits extending beyond the military to telecommunications, emergency response, and public safety, underscoring a holistic approach to national security.
The MoU signing ceremony was marked by insightful addresses from key figures. Maj Gen C S Mann elaborated on the Indian Army’s perspective on absorbing niche technologies and efforts to create an ecosystem for emerging technology-based solutions for military applications. Shri S K Marwaha highlighted various MeitY initiatives for defence and strategic applications and the contributions of SAMEER and CDAC in these sectors. Dr P H Rao provided an overview of SAMEER’s defence sector work and the ambitious vision for the MoU to develop field-deployable solutions for the Indian Army.
Lt Gen K H Gawas emphasized the significance of the MoU and MCTE’s expectations to develop tactical battle area solutions through collaborative efforts involving MCTE, SAMEER, academia, industry, researchers, and startups. He expressed confidence that this partnership would pave the way for groundbreaking achievements and set new standards for cooperation between government R&D institutes and military educational institutions, contributing significantly to the national initiative of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
This strategic alliance marks a pivotal moment, signaling a future filled with innovation and collaborative success in defence technology.