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Assam Rifles and IIIT Manipur collaborate to enhance drone technology for defence and security
ET Bureau | August 20, 2025 5:40 AM CST

Synopsis

Assam Rifles and IIIT Manipur are collaborating to enhance defence capabilities through drone technology, signing an MoU and launching advanced training for personnel. This initiative aims to bolster surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics in light of recent attacks involving drones equipped with explosives in Manipur. The collaboration addresses the need for hi-tech warfare solutions in the region.

Guwahati: Assam Rifles, in collaboration with IIIT Manipur, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote drone technology for defence and security.

The event on Monday was attended by Maj Gen Ravroop Singh, IG Assam Rifles (South), and the Director of IIIT Manipur, highlighting the importance of defence-academia cooperation.

As part of the initiative, an Advanced Drone Training and Refresher Course was also launched for Assam Rifles personnel, covering drone flight operations, maintenance, and DGCA-certified training. The programme aims to strengthen surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics support capabilities. Around 80 participants, including defence personnel and IIIT faculty, took part in the event, reaffirming the shared commitment to innovation and capacity building.

Last year Manipur witnessed hi tech attacks, one person was killed, and six others suffered injuries in an attack by rocket propelled bombs in Moirang in Manipur.
The rocket, believed to be improvised, landed in the compound of former chief minister Mairembam Koireng's residence.

With Manipur facing attacks from drones equipped with explosives, Director General of Police Rajeev Singh has said that a committee was formed of top officers from the army, state police and paramilitary forces to examine the modus operandi of explosives dropped by drones adopted by militants in Manipur. Central agencies like NSG were roped in to study hi-tech warfare.

Manipur is under President’s rule. At least 258 people have been killed and over a thousand people injured in the ethnic violence in the state between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the non-tribal Meitei people since May 3, 2023. More than 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes and villages, They are staying in relief camps in different districts.


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