In a significant step towards enhancing India’s defence capabilities through cutting-edge technology, officers from the Indian Army’s Southern Command visited the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Pune. The visit aimed to foster collaboration in the field of quantum technology, aligning with the government’s #AtmaNirbharBharat initiative to promote self-reliance in defence innovation.

The delegation engaged with researchers and experts to explore potential applications of quantum technology in military operations. Key focus areas included quantum computing, secure quantum communication through Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), and the development of AI-enabled defense networks. These technologies are poised to revolutionize secure communications and enhance computational capabilities for defense purposes, offering robust protection against emerging cyber threats, including those posed by quantum computing attacks on traditional encryption systems.

This initiative is part of the Indian Army’s broader #YearOfTechAbsorption and #DecadeOfTransformation (2023–2032) strategies, which aim to modernize military capabilities by integrating advanced technologies. The collaboration underscores the importance of military-civil fusion, leveraging India’s research ecosystem to develop indigenous solutions for national security. Institutions like C-DAC, a premier R&D organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, are at the forefront of such advancements, with expertise in areas like supercomputing, cybersecurity, and quantum technology.

Photographs from the visit showed army personnel in discussions with researchers in a high-tech laboratory, examining advanced equipment likely related to quantum experiments. Another image depicted a formal meeting in a conference room, where presentations on quantum technology applications were shared, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the initiative. The visit marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards becoming a leader in quantum technology for defense applications, reinforcing the synergy between academia, industry, and the armed forces.