In a significant move to enhance India’s aviation infrastructure, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has partnered with a private company and the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER) to establish a Centre of Excellence for airport systems and security. This collaboration aims to drive the country’s self-reliance in cutting-edge aviation technology as part of the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks a significant step forward in advancing airport navigation, communication, and security systems. The MoU was signed by the Chairman and Managing Director of the company and Dr P. Hanumantha Rao, Director General of SAMEER, in the presence of key officials including Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY.
This partnership has been facilitated through the MANTHAN platform, launched in 2022 by Professor Sood. The MANTHAN initiative is designed to foster collaborations across industries, philanthropic organisations, and the scientific research community to accelerate the development of high-tech solutions. Through this initiative, the company and SAMEER are working together to create innovative, indigenous technologies tailored to India’s unique aviation needs.
The partnership will focus on developing advanced systems for civilian and strategic airports, with a keen emphasis on enhancing security measures and optimising navigation and communication infrastructure.
According to the Chairman and Managing Director of the company, “India plays a critical role in global aviation, and our collaboration will focus on fulfilling the needs of indigenous design, development, and manufacturing of aviation technologies, especially in airport systems and security.”
The collaboration aligns with the Indian government’s objective of making India a global leader in technology innovation. Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, highlighted that this initiative will lead to the creation of indigenous products and solutions of international standards, further supporting the goal of transforming India into a “product nation.” With the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on board, the collaboration is set to meet the country’s growing demands for aviation technology.
SAMEER’s extensive research capabilities in areas like RF and microwave systems will be pivotal in developing home-grown solutions. Dr. Rao emphasised the need for India to enhance its indigenous research to develop secure and reliable technologies for both civilian and defence aviation needs.
“This is a milestone achievement that will contribute to India’s self-reliance in airport navigation and communications technologies,” he added.
The collaboration also highlights the importance of building a robust ecosystem to certify these systems internationally and ensure that they meet global aviation standards.
As India’s aviation sector grows rapidly, the strategic partnership between industry and government research organisations is set to revolutionise airport systems. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the initiative promises to enhance the security and efficiency of airport navigation and communications, ensuring that India remains at the forefront of global aviation innovation.
This collaboration strengthens India’s position in aviation technology and contributes to broader national goals, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by fostering sustainable and scalable technological solutions.
The Centre of Excellence will serve as a hub for developing solutions that are not only vital for India’s future but also have the potential to set a new global standard in airport technology.
The new partnership is poised to open doors for future innovations in airport management and security, potentially shaping the global aviation technology market by offering cost-effective, high-quality solutions tailored to meet the needs of emerging economies. With the backing of the MANTHAN platform and the expertise of SAMEER, this partnership is poised to shape the future of airport navigation, communication, and security systems, marking a transformative chapter in India’s technological landscape.
