IIT Bombay successfully hosted ICONS 2025, a two-day workshop on Defence Technologies, during 28th February – 1st March under the theme ‘Better and Faster Tech for Defence’. The event, conducted as part of National Science Day 2025, brought together distinguished experts from the armed forces, industry and academia to explore cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of defence.
The workshop featured insightful addresses by General Manoj C. Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC (Retd.), Former Chief of the Army Staff, who underscored the critical role of technological advancements in modern warfare, and Air Chief Marshal Vivek R. Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC (Retd.), Former Chief of the Air Staff, who highlighted the impact of technology in military operations and national security.
Keynote sessions included thought-provoking insights from Air Vice Marshal Dhananjay V. Khot AVSM, VM (Retd.) who discussed military readiness for next-generation warfare, and Mr. Neelesh Tungar, Whole-Time Director & CEO of Kalyani Strategic Systems, who emphasized aligning innovation with defence strategies. Prof. Milind D. Atrey, Deputy Director (Academics, Research and Translation), IIT Bombay, highlighted the Institute’s robust innovation and translational research ecosystem.
The session on high-performance materials for defence applications explored advanced propellants, high-energy density materials, ceramics and machine-learning-driven propellant formulations while the session on digital technologies in military operations delved into AI-driven intelligence gathering, cybersecurity, cognitive warfare and drone-based intelligence. Experts also provided valuable insights on smart defence and logistics, focusing on IoT-driven smart assets, AI-powered maintenance, and digital twin technology for aviation and defence applications.
The event also featured prototypes and poster presentations by IIT Bombay faculty and startups, showcasing innovative defence technologies. With nearly 200 attendees, ICONS 2025 fostered dynamic discussions, knowledge exchange, and strategic collaborations, paving the way for a more secure and resilient future.