Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, has secured two projects from the Army Technology Board (ATB) with a combined outlay of Rs 120 crore.The projects, awarded under the 27th Army Technology Board cycle, focus on the development of autonomous armoured vehicles and directed energy weapons for the Indian Army.The ATB, functioning under the Indian Army’s Military Operations Directorate, identifies emerging technological requirements and assigns critical research and development tasks to institutions capable of delivering advanced solutions.IIT Ropar was selected for both projects owing to its expertise in robotics, autonomous systems, photonics and laser technologies.IIT Ropar Director Rajeev Ahuja said autonomous armoured vehicle project aims to develop next-generation combat platforms capable of operating with minimal human intervention.These systems are expected to use artificial intelligence for navigation, threat identification and battlefield decision-making, thereby reducing risks to soldiers operating in hostile environments, he said.He further said the second project involves the development of directed energy weapons, which employ highly focused electromagnetic energy beams to neutralise threats.Such systems are increasingly being viewed as a game-changing capability in modern warfare, particularly for anti-drone operations, missile defence and electronic warfare applications.The Director said the award of the two projects reflected the confidence reposed by the Indian Army in the institute’s research ecosystem.“These two ATB projects are a strong endorsement of the research ecosystem we have built at IIT Ropar. Our faculty and students have been working with rigour and purpose in the defence technology domain, and this recognition by the Indian Army validates that work,” he said.Ahuja said the institute viewed the projects as a direct contribution to national security and would execute them with the urgency and discipline required for strategic defence programmes.Apart from their military significance, the projects are expected to generate substantial economic activity in the region. IIT Ropar officials said the programs would involve collaboration with startups, MSMEs and industry partners for component development, manufacturing and testing.Defence experts are of the view that large-scale technology programmes often create innovation ecosystems around research institutions, leading to the growth of specialised industries and skilled employment opportunities, he said.