Dehradun: The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and India Optel Limited (IOL) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together on defence research, technology development, skill building and closer ties between academia and industry.
The agreement sets out a framework for cooperation in innovation, indigenization, training, internships and research, along with other areas of mutual interest. It pairs IIT Roorkee's multidisciplinary research capabilities with IOL's experience in defence technologies.
The director of IIT Roorkee, Prof Kamal Kishore Pant, said the pact was an important step towards turning academic research into solutions that match India's strategic defence needs. "IIT Roorkee's multidisciplinary research strengths, complemented by India Optel Limited's domain expertise, will create significant opportunities for collaborative research, student engagement, technology development and knowledge exchange," he said.
He added that both sides looked forward to advancing indigenous technologies, building a strong academia–industry partnership and contributing to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.
The chairman and managing director of India Optel Limited, Sharmishtha Koul Sharma, said the partnership reflected the company's commitment to indigenous research, innovation and technological self-reliance. "This strategic collaboration will strengthen engagement with premier academic institutions to address critical defence requirements, explore emerging technologies and develop future-ready solutions for the Indian Armed Forces," she said.
IOL makes electro-optical sensor systems, weapon sights, communication equipment and opto-electronic systems for the armed forces and paramilitary forces. The company is headquartered in Dehradun and is one of the seven defence public sector undertakings carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board when it was corporatized in October 2021.
Under the MoU, the two institutions will try to build a stronger defence research and innovation ecosystem and tighten the link between leading academic institutions and India's defence manufacturing sector.
