Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi inaugurated ‘Agnishodh’, the Indian Army’s dedicated research cell at IIT Madras, aimed at transforming cutting-edge academic research into battlefield-ready technology.
The initiative aligns with the Army’s Five Pillars of Transformation and reinforces the broader vision of “Swadeshikaran Se Sashaktikaran”, achieving empowerment through indigenisation.
Set up in collaboration with the IIT Madras Research Park, the Agnishodh centre will work closely with institutions like the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre (AMTDC) and the Pravartak Technologies Foundation. The goal is to accelerate the journey of lab-scale innovations into real-world defence applications.
Key focus areas include:
- Additive manufacturing
- Cybersecurity
- Quantum computing
- Wireless communication
- Unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
The centre will also play a key role in skilling and reskilling military personnel in these frontier technologies.
During his two-day visit to Chennai, Gen. Dwivedi also addressed cadets at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), where he emphasised the need for integrated and tech-enabled responses in grey zone warfare.
He cited Operation Sindoor as a landmark tri-service operation that showcased India’s ability to coordinate precise military actions, reportedly prompting Pakistan to agree to a ceasefire within just 88 hours.
“Future wars will not only need brave soldiers but also smart technologies,” said the Army Chief, underscoring the role of innovation in national security.
Gen. Dwivedi also conferred the Veteran Achievers Award to four retired officers for their continued contributions to society post-service.
