Army signs MoU with MCCIA to boost defence indigenisation and innovation
Mumbai, September 18. The Indian Army’s Headquarters Base Workshop Group (HQ BWG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) to strengthen military-civil collaboration and accelerate indigenisation, research and development, and innovation in defence land systems.
The MCCIA, a leading Maharashtra-based chamber of commerce, promotes trade, industry and agriculture while positioning Pune as an investment and export hub. The partnership with the Army is expected to create a structured framework for cooperation in developing defence technologies and nurturing local industries.
Under the agreement, HQ BWG and MCCIA will identify and execute research and joint development projects, with products either adopted directly by the Army or scaled up through MCCIA’s support, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence. The initiative also seeks to integrate cutting-edge technologies – including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and unmanned aerial systems – into land platforms such as armoured vehicles.
An incubation cluster is planned at the Army Base Workshop in Pune, serving as a collaborative space for the Army, industry experts, think tanks and academia to design, test and deliver solutions. The MoU also envisions transforming the Pune region into a hub for defence technology development, manufacturing, R&D, and exports.
The collaboration places emphasis on building local manufacturing capacity, upgrading existing platforms, and running industry-ready skill development programmes to expand employment opportunities in the defence sector. It further aims to provide a platform for start-ups, exhibitions, technological showcases and international partnerships, while creating a replicable model for other regions in India.
Defence officials said the initiative marks a major step in aligning the Army’s requirements with India’s innovation ecosystem and supports the broader national goal of achieving self-reliance in defence production.
