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IAF institute signs pact with IIT Madras to build indigenous airborne communication system
The agreement covers joint development of advanced communication and networking algorithms.
The Indian Air Force's Software Development Institute (SDI) has signed an agreement with IIT Madras to build an indigenous digital communication system for aircraft.
The Memorandum of Agreement was signed with IIT Madras and IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation. Air Vice Marshal Sarabjit Singh, Commandant of SDI, and Dr M. J. Shankar Raman, CEO of IITM Pravartak, signed it in the presence of IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti.
What they will build
The partners will jointly design and develop the airborne communication system, with work on advanced algorithms for communication systems and networking. The IAF says the indigenous development is meant to reduce reliance on imported systems and improve its operational efficiency, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
The release gives no timeline, cost or technical specifications for the system.
Source: official release by the Ministry of Defence, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (06 NOV 2026 6:59PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: IAF’s SDI-IIT MADRAS AND IITM PRAVARTAK TECHNOLOGIES FOUNDATION SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR INDIGENOUS DIGITAL SECURE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR AIRBORNE APPLICATIONS.
How we verified this
VerifiedEvery fact, figure and quotation is taken from the official PIB release (Release ID 2333748) issued by the Ministry of Defence on 06 NOV 2026 6:59PM by PIB Delhi; checked against the source on publication. Story written by BDT from that release; no outside facts added.
Sources
- 1.IAF’s SDI-IIT MADRAS AND IITM PRAVARTAK TECHNOLOGIES FOUNDATION SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR INDIGENOUS DIGITAL SECURE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR AIRBORNE AP — Press Information Bureau, Government of India
