Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh emphasized the critical need for close collaboration among Defence Forces, DRDO, academic institutions, defence public sector undertakings, and private industry including start-ups to accelerate development, adoption, and continuous upgradation of indigenous technologies amidst rapidly evolving warfare dynamics. Speaking at the launch of IIT Kanpur's 'Greater Than Us' fundraising campaign in New Delhi on October 14, 2026, he highlighted that strengthening indigenous technological capabilities is strategically crucial as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, unmanned platforms, advanced sensors, cybersecurity, and space-based technologies are reshaping military dynamics.
The Minister underscored the growing interlinkage between national security and technological capability, noting that IITs can significantly contribute by aligning academic research with operational defence requirements and industry needs. The government's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' commitment lies at the center of its 'Viksit Bharat' vision, aiming to create a technologically capable, economically competitive, innovative, and confident nation that actively contributes to knowledge and technology creation.
IIT Kanpur's initiatives include the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence and a proposal to establish a School of Defence Technologies. The proposal to set up a National Military Drone Technology Hub at IIT Kanpur, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence to fast-track indigenisation and innovation for combat edge, has made significant progress with its approval process nearing completion. Such partnerships aim to bring scientific talent, institutional expertise, and operational experience under one umbrella to develop indigenous technologies of strategic importance.
The government has approved a Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme to catalyze private-sector investment in research and advanced technologies. Through the 'Greater Than Us' campaign, IIT Kanpur aims to raise US$1 billion by March 2029, which represents the largest fundraising campaign ever undertaken by any IIT. Rs 4,155 crore, nearly half of the goal, has already been committed by alumni, donors, corporate partners, and the government. The funds will strengthen research infrastructure, nurture talent, and accelerate development and commercialisation of indigenous technologies and innovations to support India's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.