New Delhi [India], February 13 (ANI): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar) to promote collaborative research, academic exchange and strengthen technological innovation by leveraging each other's research expertise.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between DIPAS , DRDO and IIT Ropar for collaborative research, academic exchange and strengthening technological innovation utilising each other's research expertise, according to DRDO

This collaboration is poised to drive innovation for human performance augmentation, high-altitude sustenance, smart energy and efficient waste management, according to DRDO, he added.

Earlier on February 5, India and the United States held the 24th Joint Technical Group Plenary, held at DRDO Headquarters in New Delhi, to advance cooperation in Defence Science & Technologies, as per a statement by the Ministry of Defence.

According to the press release, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) hosted the 24th Indo-US Joint Technical Group Plenary Meeting in New Delhi on February 3-4. The meeting was co-chaired by Director General (Production Coordination & Services Interaction), DRDO Dr Chandrika Kaushik and Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies, Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering Mr Michael Francis Dodd.

As per the statement, the plenary was conducted in line with the vision and policy guidance of the framework for the India-US Major Defence Partnership signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in October 2025. The delegations reviewed the ongoing cooperation in defence science & technology, discussed associated challenges, and examined proposals to further strengthen collaboration in critical & emerging defence technologies to meet the evolving requirements.

The statement further noted that the discussions also focused on enhancing the participation of university-affiliated research centres, defence laboratories, and industries in cooperative research & development initiatives. Additionally, the meeting explored potential collaboration between the DRDO and the Defence Innovation Unit under the Innovation Bridge framework & concluded with the signing of a project agreement. (ANI)