Imphal, August 19: In a major step towards defence modernisation and indigenisation, the Assam Rifles has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Manipur, to boost the use of drone technology in border management and security operations.
The MoU was formalised on Monday at the Assam Rifles headquarters in Mantripukhri, Imphal West. Officials said the collaboration seeks to harness academic expertise, research, and innovation from IIIT Manipur to enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics support in sensitive border regions.
As part of the initiative, an Advanced Drone Training and Refresher Course was also launched to equip Assam Rifles personnel with DGCA-certified skills in drone operations and maintenance. The training aims to build technical proficiency, improve field adaptability, and enable effective deployment of drones in challenging terrains.
IIIT Manipur faculty members conducted a technical session highlighting the indigenisation of drone systems and their role in achieving greater autonomy and resilience in defence technology.
According to officials, the partnership underscores the growing importance of defence-academia collaboration, merging operational experience with cutting-edge technological solutions to build a more agile, self-reliant, and future-ready security force.
