Mandi- Top experts came together at the G20 - S20 Meet at IIT Mandi focusing on the use of technology in defence. They Proposed a rope release mechanism for Indian Airforce at the meet among other things.
The event brought together experts from academia, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), and the Armed Forces. Their goal: Work together and enhance technological advancements in the defence sector.
Speaking during the Day 4 of the Meet, Director of IIT Mandi Prof. Laxmidhar Behera stressed the importance of open dialogue and collaboration between academia, research institutions, industries, startups, and the armed forces.
He expressed gratitude to all the participants and emphasized IIT Mandi's commitment to contributing to the defence needs of the nation.
Air Vice Marshal PKH Sinha (Retd), the Strategic Advisor of IIT Mandi, coordinated the event along with Dr. Rajnish Sharma.
They emphasized the need to create an environment that encourages innovation and the development of technologies specifically for defence purposes.
Air Vice Marshal Sinha highlighted the four pillars of the defence sector: academia, which conducts research in emerging technologies; DRDO, which customizes these technologies for mass production; industry, which ensures the robustness of these technologies; and the defence forces, who ultimately utilize these innovations.
He stressed the importance of synergy between these pillars to establish a strong foundation for critical emerging technologies (iCET) and support India's goal of self-reliance (Atmanirbhar) in the defence sector.
The event featured guest talks by DRDO and public sector units, focusing on the significance of technology in defence. Notable discussions included the partnership between DRDO and academia, the role of sustainability in technological growth, and the responsibilities of various organizations in the defence sector.
During the conclave, it was revealed that Dr. Gajendra Singh, a faculty member at IIT Mandi, proposed an improvement in the rope release mechanism of Indian Airforce helicopters.
This proposal was appreciated by the Commander of Base Repair Depot, Chandigarh, as it would enhance the load carrying capacity and supply delivery.
IIT Mandi's active involvement in defence research and innovation was highlighted, including the development of an artificial material that makes stealth vehicles and establishments less visible to radar.
This technology has applications in reducing radar cross-section and preventing radiation leaks. Additionally, IIT Mandi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Air Force's Headquarters Maintenance Command (HQ MC) Nagpur for collaboration in research projects related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, human-computer interaction, and decision support systems.
Through its continuous efforts, IIT Mandi aims to support the Indian government's vision of making India self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) in defence technology.
