IIT Kanpur to Host New Defence Testing Facilities

Technopark@IITK, the research and technology park of IIT Kanpur, has partnered with two Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) — UAS Testing Foundation and Communication (Defence) Testing Foundation — to establish advanced Defence Testing Infrastructure.

The initiative, under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) of the Ministry of Defence, will focus on testing facilities for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Communication Systems. The UAS testing facility will span 11,500 square feet, while the communication systems facility will cover 9,000 square feet. Both facilities will be integrated with office spaces and ancillary infrastructure within the Technopark campus.

The UAS Testing Foundation includes a consortium of companies such as HAL, BEL, BEML, Yantra India Limited, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., and EndureAir Systems. The Communication (Defence) Testing Foundation brings together HAL, BEL, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, and BEML. UPEIDA and Technopark@IITK are also part of both consortiums.

These facilities aim to strengthen defence manufacturing capabilities in India by offering specialized testing infrastructure for the domestic defence industry, according to a press release from Technopark@IITK.