Chennai, August 5: In a landmark step toward self-reliance in defence technology, the Indian Army and IIT Madras have jointly inaugurated ‘Agnishodh’, a cutting-edge research cell aimed at driving battlefield innovation and modernisation. The facility was inaugurated by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), on Monday during his two-day visit to Chennai.
The newly launched Indian Army Research Cell (IARC) on the IIT Madras campus is part of the Army’s transformation strategy anchored in its Five Pillars of Transformation, particularly focusing on Modernisation and Technology Infusion, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
Operation Sindoor and Next-Gen Warfare
Addressing the gathering at IIT Madras, General Dwivedi elaborated on Operation Sindoor, calling it a “landmark, intelligence-driven operation” that reshaped India’s counter-terrorism strategy. He stressed the evolving nature of warfare—dominated by non-contact engagements, strategic tempo, and psychological impact—and affirmed the Army’s preparedness for fifth-generation warfare.
Academic Collaboration for Battlefield Excellence
General Dwivedi praised the collaborative research ecosystem across top Indian institutions like IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and IISc Bengaluru, and appreciated IIT Madras’s work in projects such as Project SAMBHAV and additive manufacturing innovations with Army Base Workshops.
“Agnishodh will bridge academic brilliance with battlefield applicability, empowering India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” he said.
Scope of Agnishodh
The research cell will also operate in collaboration with the IIT Madras Research Park, working alongside entities such as the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre (AMTDC) and Pravartak Technologies Foundation, to turn lab-scale concepts into field-ready military solutions.
Agnishodh will support:
- Upskilling military personnel in emerging technologies like cybersecurity, quantum computing, wireless communication, additive manufacturing, and unmanned aerial systems.
- Accelerating indigenous R&D under national missions like INDIAai, Chip-to-Startup, and Project QuILA, with MCTE Mhow as a strategic partner.
Visit to OTA Chennai
General Dwivedi also visited the Officers Training Academy (OTA), where he reviewed modern training infrastructures and commended the instructional staff for preparing cadets to meet contemporary security challenges.
He reiterated that in the current environment of grey-zone warfare, India must combine conventional strength with modern technologies — where “boots must share space with bots.”
Veteran Honours
In a special gesture, the Army Chief honoured four distinguished ex-servicemen with Veteran Achievers Awards, acknowledging their continued role in national development.
The launch of Agnishodh marks a significant step in India’s mission to build a technologically empowered, self-reliant defence ecosystem, rooted in innovation, research, and strategic foresight.
