In a significant move to enhance national capabilities in artificial intelligence and next-generation defence technologies, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo inaugurated Odisha’s first state-of-the-art Deep Neural Network (DNN) Laboratory today.
This facility has been established at the premises of Krystellar Defence and Aerospace in Nayapally, Bhubaneswar.
The inauguration event was attended by senior government officials, defence experts, academicians, industrialists from the state, and foreign domain experts. The lab is designed to promote research in various fields, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), artificial intelligence (AI), electronic warfare, cognitive communications, AI-powered space surveillance, and hypersonic threat detection, tracking, and situational awareness. It will serve as a strategic platform for AI-driven innovations in missile defence, drone defence, radar signal processing, and cyber defence.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo encouraged the youth to dream big and work tirelessly to turn their aspirations into reality. He also praised the initiative of a young entrepreneur from Odisha, Uday Bhanu Das, for establishing a high-tech facility focused on defence and space research, innovation, and design. Singh Deo urged the youth to follow Das’s example in realising the vision of a self-reliant India in defence preparedness. Additionally, he invited German car companies to set up their manufacturing industries in Odisha.
Later, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between BL eGovernance and IT Solutions. Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo also launched high-end mobile sets and promoted local entrepreneurs. Brigadier L.C. Patnaik, Chairman of Defence and Space, emphasised the need for developing AI-optimised frameworks, high-performance computing, and automated warfare systems to shape the future of warfare and national security.
Uday Bhanu Das, Founder and CEO of Krystellar Defence and Aerospace, stated that the DNN Lab would act as a key enabler for developing indigenous, mission-ready AI solutions. The lab also aims to support key initiatives under ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ promoting a self-reliant, secure, and technology-enabled defence sector.
In addition to research and development, the DNN Lab will offer advanced training programs and special workshops for defence personnel, scientists, and engineers. The facility will also host collaborative projects with leading DRDO labs, aerospace public sector undertakings, and domestic defence technology innovators.
