IIT Ropar’s Defence Research and Innovation Foundation signs MoU with Dhash Defense to jointly develop indigenous all‑terrain vehicles, UGVs, and robotic combat platforms for Indian forces.
A strategic MoU for indigenous defence mobility
In a significant move toward indigenous defence capability building, Dhash Defense Systems Private Limited (DDS) and the IIT Ropar Defence Research and Innovation Foundation (DRIF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. The agreement brings together cutting‑edge academic research from IIT Ropar and homegrown manufacturing expertise from Dhash Defense to reshape India’s ground‑mobility landscape.
The MoU also lays the foundation for a collaborative programme focused on advanced all‑terrain vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), robotic combat vehicles (RCVs), and specialised mobility systems, all developed under an Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) framework with a high degree of local content.
From imported to indigenous mobility platforms
Dhash Defense Systems is the defence and mobility division of the Dhash Group, dedicated to creating fully India‑engineered ground‑mobility solutions. The company specialises in advanced all‑terrain, modular platforms capable of operating across mountainous terrains, dense forests, desert environments, coastal regions, and high‑altitude conflict zones – where durability, adaptability, and reliability are non‑negotiable.
The team builds the platforms with a modular architecture, which enables flexible configurations for multiple mission roles, including troop transport, logistics, medical evacuation, and combat support. Dhash Defense is also integrating autonomous systems, intelligent mobility solutions, precision robotics, and drone‑carrying and charging platforms into its mobility architecture, positioning itself at the forefront of next‑generation tactical mobility.
A generational shift in defence mobility
The partnership signals a generational shift in how India approaches defence mobility, moving from import‑dependent, platform‑specific systems to indigenous, modular, and re‑configurable mobility solutions. Dhash Defense’s mission statement also captures the ambition: “From manned to autonomous, from imported to indigenous – this partnership embodies a generational shift in how India will approach defence mobility.”
By adopting an IDDM model, the company aims to build mission‑ready mobility systems that are designed in India, built in India, and trusted by India, reducing dependence on foreign platforms and supply‑chain vulnerabilities.
IIT Ropar DRIF brings research and domain strength
The IIT Ropar Defence Research and Innovation Foundation (DRIF), established to advance India’s self‑reliance in defence technology, brings academic rigour, deep technical expertise, and access to research infrastructure into the collaboration. Moreover, DRIF will work with Dhash Defense to identify critical technology gaps, understand the operational requirements of the armed forces, and drive applied research into autonomous ground systems and advanced mobility platforms.
The foundation’s role includes joint concept development, technology road‑mapping, system‑level integration studies, and testing and validation support, helping translate defence‑relevant research into field‑ready deployments. DRIF’s multidisciplinary teams cover domains such as robotics, artificial intelligence, materials science, and embedded systems, all of which are critical for next‑generation autonomous and combat‑oriented mobility platforms.
Co‑developing UGVs and robotic combat vehicles
The MoU explicitly targets the development of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and robotic combat vehicles (RCVs), which are poised to play a central role in future battlefield operations. These systems will combine soft‑kill and hard‑kill payloads, sensor suites, autonomous navigation, and real‑time data‑linking to support Indian forces in high‑risk entry operations, mine‑clearance, and reconnaissance.
Dhash Defense and IIT Ropar DRIF also plan to co‑develop modular UGV/RCV platforms that they can configure for different missions – from explosive‑ordnance disposal (EOD) robots to armed combat‑support vehicles. The modular‑design philosophy ensures that engineers can roll out hardware and software upgrades without replacing entire platforms, extending their operational life and reducing lifecycle costs.
Building a self‑reliant defence ecosystem
The partnership aligns with India’s broader push toward Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence, where domestic innovation, production capacity, and technology depth converge to reduce import reliance. “India has the engineering talent, the operational need, and now the institutional will to build world‑class defence platforms at home,” remarked a senior official from Dhash Defense.
“Through our IDDM approach, Dhash Defense Systems is committed to delivering mission‑ready mobility systems that are designed in India, built in India, and trusted by India. This collaboration with IIT Ropar DRIF is a decisive step in translating that commitment into battlefield‑ready reality,” the official added.
By combining Dhash Defense’s industrial strength and IIT Ropar’s research and innovation capabilities, the MoU also opens a pathway for India‑centric development of all‑terrain vehicles, unmanned systems, and robotic combat platforms – creating a new benchmark in indigenous defence mobility and strengthening India’s preparedness for future‑generation warfare.
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