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Indian Express
07-08-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
DIAT ramps up focus on semiconductor design, defence & space electronics, quantum tech in wake of Op Sindoor
Amidst an increased push for niche indigenous technologies in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) has started a specialised programme — with another to be launched — in semiconductor design and defence and space electronics, said DIAT Vice Chancellor Dr BHVS Narayana Murthy on Thursday. He added that a futuristic quantum technology laboratory will also be launched. Dr Murthy was speaking at a curtain raiser event for the 14th Convocation Ceremony of DIAT which will be held on August 9. The convocation will be presided over by chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and secretary of Department of Defence Research and Development, Dr Samir V Kamat, who is also the chairman of the Governing Council of DIAT. DIAT, which is an autonomous organisation of the Department of Defence Research and Development, offers post graduate programmes — including MTech, MSc and PhD — that are tailored towards defence and security applications. Dr Murthy said, 'After the recent Operation Sindoor, a lot of thrust is being given by the government and the tri-services to the indigenous weapons systems and defence technologies. There is a lot of thrust on getting skilled human resources in this area. To that end we launched an advanced course in semiconductor chip design — an area which has seen a lot of government push and another one in Defence and Space Electronics — which will cater for advanced defence and space payload electronics research. To encourage more systems engineering concepts, we are introducing an industrial system engineering programme for working professionals which will be conducted in hybrid mode on weekends.' 'As part of the DRDO reforms, DIAT has been chosen as the main institute to offer MTech in Defence Technology programme for its new recruits. We are successfully conducting a course for the Ministry of Home Affairs to train Cyber Commandos for six months. The first batch completed its course and the second will soon join. The DIAT is also involved in niche and advanced research areas with key defence applications. One of them is free-space high data laser communication, in which we have successfully demonstrated proof of concept. Our quantum technology group is also involved in key research, particularly quantum communication, quantum sensing, quantum computing and quantum key distribution. A dedicated quantum research laboratory is set to be inaugurated,' Dr Murthy added. 'Our Electronics and Physics Departments are working on photonics based electronic warfare systems and radar sensor systems. Many technologies which are a result of indigenous research have been completed and inducted. Like we saw in Operation Sindoor like Akash, Brahmos and direct energy weapons. In the coming years, the projects that are in the final stages of development, will undergo user evaluation trials and will be inducted into the forces. And the industries including PSU will play a major role in the process,' he said. Answering questions on the success of homegrown guidance, tracking and sensing systems during Op Sindoor and ongoing work in these areas, Dr Murthy said, 'DIAT is conducting PG courses like aerospace, which covers guide missiles, UAV and air armaments. We have a course in radar and sensing technology.' Speaking about research futuristic technologies, he said, 'One is free-space high data laser communication. With space being a domain of warfare, we are giving a thrust to space payloads as part of the defence and space electronics programme. The quantum group is working on quantum sensors. There is ongoing research on photonics based radars which will make the systems compact and also give systems jamming immunity. We are also working on advanced material for aircrafts and missiles. Many recent conflicts globally have highlighted the use of drones not just for surveillance but actual combat. Swarm drones are also a key sector. Our teams are working on various aspects including the anti drone systems.' Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010. Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune. Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
‘Operation Sindoor has reinforced thrust on indigenisation of defence products'
Operation Sindoor that has displayed India's defence capabilities to the world will reflect in a renewed thrust for indigenisation of defence products, G. Satheesh Reddy, president, Aeronautical Society of India and former Secretary of Department of Defence Research and Development said in Coimbatore on Saturday. The takeaways from Operation Sindoor constitute confidence of armed forces in the country's industry, a boost to the morale of scientists, the possibilities created for industries to get defence orders and the scope for export orders for India's defence products, Dr. Reddy said, addressing the Academia-Industry Meet – 2025 on Aerospace organised by Kumaraguru Centre for Industrial Research and Innovation (KCIRI) of Kumaraguru Institutions, in association with the CODISSIA Defence Innovation and Atal Incubation Centre (CDIIC) and the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI). The event was envisioned as a platform to strengthen collaborations between academia and industry, promote indigenous defence technology, and drive progress in the Coimbatore Defence Corridor, in alignment with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. State governments were now vying with one another to make the most of the potential in defence and aerospace industries. Industry clusters could consider creating export promotion cells, as India has set a target for manufacture of indigenous defence products worth ₹3 lakh crore by the next three years. Likewise, the export target has also been increased correspondingly, he said. Operation Sindoor has shown to the world India's air defence system, accuracy of strikes, and integrated command system. Now that India's defence capabilities are known, industry and academia need to work together to further technologies and bring in the surprise element (in future warfare) for assured success, Dr. Satheesh noted, emphasising that industries have to look at opportunities at this juncture. Lt. General. Karanbir Singh Brar, GOC, Dakshin Bharat Area, in his presentation of 'Opportunities for development of technologies for defence applications and collaborating with Indian Army' said that while the processes have been simplified under Atmanirbhar Bharat for conversion of prototypes into orders, and through tweaking of the procurement system, a deep understanding of the users has become a necessity. Most of the start-ups were in the proof of concept stage. In industry-academic collaboration, India needs to accelerate as USA and China have already taken long strides, Gen. Brar stressed. Earlier, V. Sundaram, CDIIC, CODDISSIA, spelt out the road map for broad-basing Coimbatore's contribution to the defence sector. A. Seshadri Sekhar, Director, IIT Palakkad, while addressing on 'Academia and Defence Collaborative mode for development of disruptive technology' said the institution has given push for industry-academia collaboration through a unique initiative of academic externship that entitles faculty to avail special leave for two months to study the industrial processes and subsequently engage students in real-time problem-solving. Chandrika Kaushik, Director General - Product Coordination and Services Interaction, DRDO, dwelt on 'possibilities of collaboration with the DRDO on development of systems and technologies'. India was now particular about indigenisation of defence products even if it was costlier, Dr. Chandrika said. The event culminated with an interactive session on Aerospace and Defence Ecosystem: R&D, Production, Policies, and Industry-Academia Collaboration, that had the participation of A. Joseph, Managing Director, BrahMos Aerospace, among other leading experts.
News18
26-05-2025
- Business
- News18
DRDO Chief Samir V Kamat Gets Second One-Year Extension
Last Updated: A distinguished scientist, Kamat was appointed as secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) and the DRDO chairman on August 25, 2022. The Central government on Monday extended the tenure of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Samir V Kamat by one more year, till May 2026. This is his second extension in the post. A distinguished scientist, Kamat was appointed as secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) and the DRDO chairman on August 25, 2022. He was given one-year extension on May 27 last year, which was to end this month. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved extension of Kamat's service as DDR&D secretary and DRDO chairman under Fundamental Rule 56 (d) for a further period of one year from June 1, 2025 till May 31, 2026, or until further orders, the Personnel Ministry said. The rule allows the Central government to extend services of incumbents on select posts in public interest. PTI)
