In a landmark event today, the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) of the Indian Army and the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), an autonomous R&D laboratory under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance collaboration in ‘Next Generation Wireless Technologies for the Indian Army’. The MoU was signed by Lt Gen K H Gawas, Commandant MCTE and Colonel Commandant Corps of Signals, and Dr. P H Rao, Director General SAMEER. The event was conducted in the esteemed presence of Shri S K Marwaha, Group Coordinator MeitY, and Maj Gen C S Mann, AVSM, VSM, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, reflecting the importance of this strategic initiative for the nation’s defence and technological landscape.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in strengthening the Indian Army’s technological capabilities, aligned with the declared vision for 2024 as the ‘Year of Technological Absorption for the Indian Army’ by the Chief of Army Staff.
Today’s MoU signing is expected to reinvigorate this collaboration, with plans to establish an ‘Advanced Military Research and Incubation Centre’ at MCTE. This center aims to focus on advanced wireless technologies for the Indian Army.
The partnership between SAMEER and MCTE extends beyond a mere agreement, representing a shared commitment to exploring new technological frontiers and addressing modern battlefield challenges. By merging SAMEER’s expertise in wireless technologies with MCTE’s application skills in communications, electronic warfare, and cyber operations, this collaboration promises substantial advancements in defense and strategic sectors.
- Joint Research and Development: Collaborative projects will target deployable solutions, leveraging combined expertise in 5G, 6G, advanced cellular technologies, Software Defined Radios & Cognitive Radios, Satellite Communications, Antenna Design, Free Space Optics, Tropo-scatter communications, AI, Quantum, and military-specific chip design.
- Incubation Centre: The center will support the development of military-specific innovative solutions from conceptualization to large-scale production, involving MSMEs and start-ups.
In addition, the MoU also aims at knowledge exchange, training, and development aspects.
The collaboration between SAMEER and MCTE aims to enhance national security and technological infrastructure, with potential benefits extending beyond the military to impact telecommunications, emergency response, and public safety, demonstrating a commitment to a holistic approach to national security.
The signing of this MoU marks a pivotal moment in the partnership between SAMEER and MCTE, signaling a future filled with innovation and collaborative success. This strategic alliance is poised to set new standards for cooperation between government R&D institutions and military educational bodies, driving significant technological progress.
During the MoU signing ceremony, Maj Gen C S Mann, AVSM, VSM, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, elaborated on the Indian Army’s perspective on the absorption of niche technologies. He explained the efforts taken toward creating an ecosystem for developing various emerging technology-based solutions for military applications.
Shri S K Marwaha, Group Coordinator MeitY, highlighted various MeitY initiatives for defense and strategic applications. He also elaborated on the contributions of SAMEER and CDAC in strategic and defense sectors.
Dr. P H Rao, signatory of the MoU from SAMEER’s side, provided glimpses of the volume of SAMEER’s work in the defense sector along with their ambitious vision for the MoU to develop field-deployable solutions for the Indian Army, especially in critical technological domains.
Lt Gen K H Gawas, PVSM, VSM, Commandant MCTE and Colonel Commandant Corps of Signals, emphasized the significance of the MoU and MCTE’s expectations from the MoU to develop field-deployable solutions in tactical battle areas. He expressed confidence that this partnership will pave the way for groundbreaking achievements and set a new standard for collaboration between government R&D institutes and military educational institutions, playing an instrumental role in the national initiative of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
