New Delhi, October 14: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for closer collaboration among the armed forces, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), academic institutions, defence public sector undertakings and private industry to accelerate the development and adoption of indigenous defence technologies.
Speaking at the launch of IIT Kanpur’s ‘Greater Than Us’ fundraising campaign in New Delhi on October 14, 2026, Singh highlighted the need for continuous technological innovation as the nature of warfare evolves. He stressed that artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, unmanned platforms, advanced sensors, cybersecurity and space-based technologies are reshaping military operations and strategic requirements.
Rajnath Singh Highlights Importance of Indigenous Defence Technology
The Defence Minister emphasised that technological capabilities are increasingly interconnected with national security. He said institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) can help address emerging defence requirements by aligning academic research with the operational needs of the armed forces and the demands of industry.
Singh said the government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat is central to the vision of Viksit Bharat. The objective is to build a technologically capable, economically competitive and innovative nation that contributes to the creation of knowledge and technology rather than relying solely on their consumption.
Highlighting the role of higher education and research institutions, he cited the IIT ecosystem’s support for more than 6,000 start-ups, 56 unicorns and nearly 5,000 patents. He said these achievements reflect the growing contribution of IITs to innovation, entrepreneurship and technological development.
IIT Kanpur to Strengthen Defence Technology Research
Singh acknowledged IIT Kanpur’s DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence and welcomed the proposal to establish a School of Defence Technologies at the institute.
He also noted progress on the proposed National Military Drone Technology Hub at IIT Kanpur, planned in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. The initiative aims to accelerate indigenisation and innovation in military drone technology, helping strengthen India’s operational capabilities. According to the Defence Minister, the approval process for the proposal is nearing completion.
Singh expressed confidence that closer cooperation between academic institutions and the armed forces would bring together scientific talent, institutional expertise and operational experience. Such partnerships, he said, can help translate research into practical defence applications and develop technologies of strategic importance.
Research and Innovation to Support Emerging Technologies
The Defence Minister also highlighted IIT Kanpur’s contribution to cybersecurity, healthcare and medical technology. He referred to the institute’s C3i Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Hub and its medical school as examples of initiatives supporting research in important technology areas.
He said research into advanced materials, semiconductors, quantum technology and environmental sustainability would be essential to addressing national priorities and developing future-ready solutions.
Singh also referred to the government-approved ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme, which is intended to catalyse private-sector investment in research and advanced technologies.
He emphasised that government policy, academic institutions and industry each have an important role in the innovation process. While public policy can create an enabling environment, educational and research institutions must nurture talent and generate ideas, and industry must help convert innovations into practical applications and scale them up.
IIT Kanpur’s ‘Greater Than Us’ Campaign Targets $1 Billion
Through its ‘Greater Than Us’ campaign, IIT Kanpur aims to raise US$1 billion by March 2029. The institute describes it as the largest fundraising campaign undertaken by an IIT.
As of the announcement, commitments worth ₹4,155 crore—nearly half of the overall target—had been secured from alumni, donors, corporate partners and the government.
The funds are intended to strengthen research infrastructure, nurture talent and accelerate the development and commercialisation of indigenous technologies and innovations. The campaign is aligned with India’s broader ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Singh expressed confidence that the initiative would expand research capabilities, provide advanced facilities and create opportunities for talented students while supporting solutions to national and global challenges. He encouraged IIT Kanpur alumni, industry representatives, philanthropic supporters and institutional partners to contribute through funding, mentorship, research partnerships and professional networks.
IIT Kanpur and Uttar Pradesh’s Industrial Development
Singh also highlighted IIT Kanpur’s potential to connect scientific research with industrial applications and entrepreneurship. He said the institute’s technological expertise, combined with Kanpur’s industrial legacy, could generate opportunities for investment, employment and economic growth.
These efforts, he noted, could contribute to Uttar Pradesh’s ambition of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.
Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur; Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh; and faculty members, students and alumni attended the event.
The campaign and the proposed defence technology initiatives underline the potential of stronger partnerships among government, academia and industry to advance indigenous research, strengthen national security and expand India’s technology ecosystem.
Source: (PIB)
