IIT Kanpur’s Research and Technology Park Foundation, Technopark@IITK, has signed agreements with two Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) — UAS Testing Foundation and Communication (Defence) Testing Foundation — to develop dedicated Defence Testing Infrastructure.
The facilities, focused on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Communication Systems, are part of the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS), an initiative of the Ministry of Defence’s Department of Defence Production. The scheme aims to provide advanced testing capabilities to support the domestic defence sector.
The UAS testing facility will occupy 11,500 square feet, while the communication systems testing facility will span 9,000 square feet. Both will be housed at Technopark@IITK and supplemented by office spaces and related infrastructure.
The UAS Testing Foundation consortium includes HAL, BEL, BEML, Yantra India Limited, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., and EndureAir Systems. The Communication (Defence) Testing Foundation comprises HAL, BEL, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, and BEML. UPEIDA and Technopark@IITK are participating entities in both consortiums.
These facilities are expected to enhance India’s defence manufacturing capabilities by providing accessible testing environments tailored to the industry’s needs, according to the press release issued by Technopark@IITK.