IIT Kanpur’s Technopark To Set Up Advanced UAS And Communication Testing Facilities

Kanpur, November 18 (TNA) IIT Kanpur Research and Technology Park Foundation (brand name, Technopark@IITK) has entered into agreements with two Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) – UAS Testing Foundation and Communication (Defence) Testing Foundation – to establish state-of-the-art Defence Testing Infrastructure at Technopark@IITK. These facilities will focus on two critical domains of Defence: Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Communication Systems.

The UAS Testing Foundation is a consortium comprising HAL, BEL, BEML, Yantra India Limited (YIL), Godrej Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (GIL), and EndureAir Systems, while the Communication (Defence) Testing Foundation includes HAL, BEL, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), and BEML.

UPEIDA and Technopark@IITK are integral members of both consortiums. The testing infrastructure is being established under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS), an initiative of the Department of Defence

Production (DDP) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

This scheme aims to provide accessible and high-quality testing facilities to address the needs of the

domestic defence industry. Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, said, “The establishment of

advanced UAS and Communication Testing Facilities at Technopark@IITK is a significant step in strengthening India’s defence testing infrastructure. This collaboration with key industry players under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme reflects IIT Kanpur’s role in enabling high-quality, accessible testing facilities that support both academic research and the growth of the defence industry. I am confident that this initiative will play a pivotal role in driving technological advancements and contributing to the vision of Atmanirbha Bharat by advancing self-reliance in defence innovation.”