IIT Bhubaneswar, Indian Army SDD Forge Tech Alliance to Boost Defence Innovation
Bhubaneswar, October 15, 2025 — In a strategic move to advance India’s defence capabilities, IIT Bhubaneswar and the Indian Army’s Simulator Development Division (SDD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on cutting-edge technologies, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Robotics.
The virtual signing ceremony on October 14 featured Brigadier G.S. Bedi, Commandant of SDD, and Professor Dinakar Pasla, Dean of Sponsored Research at IIT Bhubaneswar.
The five-year agreement aims to strengthen simulation-based training and develop indigenous tech-driven solutions tailored for military operations.
Under the MoU, IIT Bhubaneswar will contribute through its Virtual and Augmented Reality Centre of Excellence (VARCOE), offering academic and research expertise. SDD will provide real-world exposure and assist in building defence simulations and prototypes.
The partnership also includes short-term training modules, certification programs, and student internships.
Joint innovation events like hackathons and ideation challenges are planned to foster creativity and problem-solving among young technologists.
“This collaboration reinforces our commitment to national defence and technological self-reliance,” said Prof. Dinakar. Brigadier Bedi emphasised the importance of academia–military synergy in developing operationally viable, indigenous solutions.
The MoU marks a significant step toward long-term cooperation and knowledge exchange in emerging technologies, aligning with India’s vision for a future-ready defence ecosystem.
