The Indian Institute of Technology Ropar has secured two prestigious defence technology projects awarded by the 27th Army Technology Board (ATB). The projects, covering Autonomous Armoured Vehicles and Directed Energy Weapons, carry a combined project cost of Rs. 120 Crore. This marks one of the most significant recognitions of IIT Ropar’s growing footprint in strategic and defence research.
The Army Technology Board, which functions under the Indian Army’s Military Operations Directorate, periodically identifies frontier technology requirements and assigns high-priority development work to institutions and organisations capable of delivering solutions at scale. The selection of IIT Ropar for both projects in this cycle reflects the institution’s demonstrated research capabilities in robotics, autonomous systems, and advanced photonics and laser technologies.
The two projects place IIT Ropar at the centre of India’s push to indigenise defence technology under the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme. Autonomous Armoured Vehicles represent the next generation of ground combat assets, reducing human risk in hostile terrain through AI-powered navigation, threat detection, and combat decision systems. Directed Energy Weapons, which use highly focused beams of electromagnetic energy, are widely regarded as a transformative capability for future warfare, with applications in anti-drone operations, missile defence, and electronic warfare.
Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, said,
“These two ATB projects are a strong endorsement of the research ecosystem we have built at IIT Ropar. Our faculty and students have been working with rigour and purpose in the defence technology domain, and this recognition by the Indian Army validates that work. We take this responsibility seriously. These projects are not just research assignments. They are a direct contribution to the security of the nation. We will work with the urgency and discipline this mandate demands.”
Beyond the immediate strategic value, the projects are expected to generate significant economic activity for startups, MSMEs, and industry partners working in proximity to IIT Ropar. Complex defence programmes of this scale require ecosystem-level participation, and the institute is committed to anchoring a collaborative network of technology developers, component manufacturers, and testing partners in the region.