IAF inks deal with IISc, FSID to maintain radar, IT, communication platforms

Bengaluru: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), Bengaluru, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Headquarters, Maintenance Command of the Indian Air Force (IAF) through Base Repair Depot, Panchwati, Palam, on Monday.

The MoA aims to identify the IAF’s problem areas in maintaining and servicing equipment related to radar, aircraft, IT, and communication platforms, and to develop a strategic roadmap for reliable maintenance.

According to a statement from the Public Relations Officer, Defence Wing, Bengaluru, the collaboration will also incorporate technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Digital Twin for lifecycle management, productive maintenance, and asset planning.

Also, the MoA will allow both the IAF and IISc to access each other's testing facilities, with the IAF exploring postgraduate programmes and fostering academic interactions with IISc. The partnership is expected to encourage startups, MSMEs, and other industrial entities to participate in defence indigenisation initiatives, the release noted.