BrahMos Chief Champions Tri-Sector Synergy to Prepare Navy Cadets for Tech-Driven Warfare

Dr. Jaiteerth E. Joshi, BrahMos Aerospace DG, calls for collaboration between defense, academia, and industry to train naval cadets for tech-driven warfare, leveraging AI, ML, and Atmanirbhar Bharat to boost self-reliance and innovation.

BrahMos Chief Champions Tri-Sector Synergy to Prepare Navy Cadets for Tech-Driven Warfare

Introduction

As modern warfare evolves with technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), the Indian Navy requires engineers equipped for the challenges ahead. At the 25th convocation ceremony of the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Kannur on May 30, 2025, Dr. Jaiteerth E. Joshi, Director General of BrahMos Aerospace, spoke to The Hindu about the critical need for a tri-sector partnership—defense research, academia, and industry—to produce self-reliant, hands-on naval engineers ready for tech-driven combat.

The Need for Tri-Sector Collaboration

Dr. Joshi emphasized the unique demands on naval engineers, who must operate independently without base support. "Naval cadets trained in engineering must be prepared for onboard roles without base service support. Whether it’s rectification, testing, or maintenance, they must operate independently," he explained. To achieve this, advanced training modules are being developed through collaboration with DRDO’s Centres of Excellence at IITs, NITs, and the Defence Institute of Armament Technology, in sync with the INA.

Praising the INA’s partnership with Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr. Joshi highlighted the role of academic societies like the Indian Society for Non-Destructive Testing and the Institute of Electronics. These collaborations offer tailored internships and practical training, assigning mechanical engineers to missile or armament clusters and electronics graduates to electronic warfare units, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

A Structured Model for Innovation

Dr. Joshi outlined a clear research and production framework:

• Initial Research (TRL 1-3): Academia drives early-stage exploration.

• Applied Research (TRL 4-6): Joint efforts with industry refine technologies.

• Advanced Production (TRL 7-9): Private manufacturers lead the deployment of ready-to-use solutions.

“This synergy ensures faster innovation and production readiness,” he noted, underscoring how this tri-sector approach equips naval cadets for modern warfare’s technological demands.

DRDO’s Role and Service Expertise

The DRDO is bolstering this ecosystem by funding startups and engaging students as early as their third or fourth year of engineering. Trainees gain hands-on experience in DRDO labs, working alongside defense personnel to master domain-specific skills. Dr. Joshi also valued the contributions of service officers joining DRDO via secondment, post-retirement roles, or lateral entries. “They bring real-time warzone insight. Their understanding of frontline demands helps us design systems that are service-friendly,” he said, emphasizing the importance of combat feedback.

Atmanirbhar Bharat and Reversing Brain Drain

Dr. Joshi expressed confidence in India’s progress, noting a slowdown in brain drain. “Global industrial turmoil and domestic growth have encouraged our talent to stay back,” he said. Advances in aerospace, defense, nuclear, and automotive sectors, combined with the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, are driving this shift. With India as the fourth-largest economy and poised to become the third, the rise of startups and unicorn companies over the past five years signals a robust future for innovation and job prospects.

BrahMos Aerospace: Company Profile

Name: BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited
Established: February 12, 1998
Headquarters: 16, Cariappa Marg, Kirby Place, Cantt, New Delhi 110010, India
Type: Joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya
Mission: To design, develop, and produce the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers
Key Product: BrahMos, a supersonic cruise missile with an 800 km range and Mach 2.8 speed, deployable against sea or land targets from ships, submarines, aircraft, or land platforms
Milestones:

• First test launch: June 12, 2001, from a land-based launcher at Chandipur, Orissa

• Operational with the Indian Navy (since 2005), Army, and Air Force (via Sukhoi-30 MKI)

• Land-based system includes 4-6 Mobile Autonomous Launchers, a Mobile Command Post, and a Missile Replenishment Vehicle
  Future Plans: Developing BrahMos-II (hypersonic) and next-gen BrahMos-NG with enhanced range (600 km+) and precision
  Facilities:

• Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: BrahMos Aerospace Trivandrum Limited (BATL) handles system integration and testing

• Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: New facility, opened May 11, 2025, targets 80-100 units annually from 2026, scaling to 100-150 for BrahMos-NG
  Contact: Tel: +91-11-42285000, Fax: +91-11-25684827, Email: mail@brahmos.com
  Website: www.brahmos.com

Conclusion

Dr. Jaiteerth E. Joshi’s call for tri-sector collaboration highlights a forward-thinking strategy to prepare naval cadets for tech-driven warfare. By uniting defense research, academia, and industry, and leveraging initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, India is building a self-reliant, innovative defense ecosystem. BrahMos Aerospace stands at the forefront, driving technological advancement and talent retention for a stronger, future-ready nation.