Navyug Infosolutions Develops Indigenous Friend or Foe Identification System for Indian Army Tanks, Secures Defence Orders

Indian defence technology company Navyug Infosolutions Pvt. Ltd. has successfully developed an indigenous Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system for the Indian Army, marking an important achievement in the country’s efforts to strengthen battlefield safety and develop advanced military technologies domestically. The system enables tank crews to identify friendly targets using existing Laser Range Finder (LRF) equipment, helping reduce the risk of accidental engagements during armoured operations.

The Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi confirmed the development and announced that Navyug Infosolutions had received substantial orders from the Indian Army. The company developed the technology with support from the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) ecosystem and the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).

The achievement demonstrates how Indian defence startups are progressing from addressing specialised military requirements to developing indigenous technologies that attract procurement orders from the armed forces. The system addresses a critical challenge in mechanised warfare, where rapidly moving military formations require reliable methods of distinguishing friendly forces from potential threats.

Indigenous IFF System Developed for Indian Army Tanks

Navyug Infosolutions has developed an advanced Identification Friend or Foe system intended to improve battlefield awareness and identification capabilities for Indian Army tank crews.

According to FITT, IIT Delhi, the system enables tank operators to identify friendly targets through the use of existing Laser Range Finder equipment. This approach is particularly relevant to armoured warfare, where crews must make identification decisions while operating under demanding conditions.

Laser range finders are important components of modern tank fire-control systems. They measure the distance between a vehicle and an observed target, providing information that supports accurate engagement calculations. Navyug’s identification solution is designed to work with this existing equipment to assist crews in recognising friendly forces.

The development addresses the need for reliable identification during operations involving multiple armoured vehicles and military formations. By improving the information available to tank crews, the technology aims to strengthen coordination and reduce the possibility of accidental engagements.

FITT identified enhanced battlefield situational awareness and the prevention of friendly-fire incidents as central objectives of the system.

Technology Aims to Reduce Friendly-Fire Incidents

One of the most important applications of the indigenous IFF system is reducing the risk of fratricide, the accidental engagement of friendly military personnel or equipment.

Such incidents can occur during complex military operations when visibility is limited, formations move rapidly or personnel encounter difficulties distinguishing friendly units from opposing forces.

Mechanised warfare presents particular challenges because tanks and infantry combat vehicles may operate across large areas while maintaining considerable mobility. Battlefield conditions can change quickly, requiring crews to identify objects and make decisions within limited periods.

An effective identification system provides additional information to support these decisions. By helping crews establish whether an observed vehicle belongs to friendly forces, the system can contribute to safer and more coordinated operations.

Navyug’s solution is intended to address this requirement through technology that works with equipment already available to tank crews. The approach reflects the importance of developing practical systems that can support military operations without requiring an entirely new vehicle platform.

The system’s reported capabilities represent its intended operational benefits. The available institutional announcement does not disclose detailed field-performance measurements or operational evaluation results.

Indian Army’s iDEX Challenge Identified the Requirement

The development originated within the defence innovation ecosystem established by the Ministry of Defence to encourage Indian startups and technology companies to address operational challenges faced by the armed forces.

The Indian Army identified the requirement for a Friend or Foe Identification System under Defence India Startup Challenge 3, an initiative conducted through the Innovations for Defence Excellence programme.

The official iDEX challenge highlighted the difficulties associated with identifying friendly forces during fast-moving and highly mobile battlefield operations. It specifically recognised the importance of reliable identification in mechanised warfare, where a clearly defined forward line of troops may not always be available.

The challenge also addressed the need to maintain coordination between ground forces and supporting aircraft, including attack helicopters. Accurate identification becomes particularly important when different military platforms operate within the same battlespace.

The requirement called for a rugged identification system suitable for operational military environments. It reflected the Indian Army’s need for technologies that improve coordination and reduce the risks associated with misidentification.

Navyug Infosolutions’ development represents progress in addressing this documented military requirement through indigenous technological innovation.

IIT Delhi’s FITT Supports Navyug’s Defence Innovation

The Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer at IIT Delhi played an important institutional role in supporting Navyug Infosolutions through the iDEX and Defence Innovation Organisation ecosystem.

FITT promotes technology development, innovation, entrepreneurship and the commercial application of research. Its incubation and technology-transfer activities provide a platform for startups developing solutions in specialised sectors, including defence.

In its announcement, FITT congratulated Navyug Infosolutions on successfully developing the IFF system and securing Indian Army orders. The organisation described the achievement as an important contribution to India’s indigenous defence capabilities.

The development illustrates the role of technology incubation institutions in connecting engineering expertise with practical requirements identified by the armed forces.

Defence technologies often require specialised development processes because they must function reliably under demanding operational conditions. Startups working in this sector benefit from access to technical guidance, institutional support and opportunities to engage with potential military users.

The collaboration between Navyug, FITT, iDEX and DIO demonstrates how India’s defence innovation ecosystem can support companies working on technologies with direct military applications.

Navyug Infosolutions Confirms Substantial Indian Army Orders

Navyug Infosolutions has confirmed that it received substantial orders from the Indian Army for its indigenously developed IFF technology.

Sanjeev Kumar, associated with the company’s leadership, publicly acknowledged the achievement and expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Indian Army, iDEX, the Defence Innovation Organisation and IIT Delhi’s FITT.

He highlighted the cooperation between the company’s engineers and Indian Army personnel throughout the development process. According to his statement, the Army participated in successive trials, iterations and evaluations while supporting efforts to develop a solution for a specific operational challenge.

The reported orders represent an important commercial milestone for the company. They indicate that the technology has progressed beyond the initial development stage and attracted procurement commitments from its intended military customer.

The value of the orders, number of systems being supplied and delivery schedule were not specified in the institutional announcement.

The confirmation of orders should also be distinguished from evidence of completed fleet-wide deployment. Although the system has progressed into the procurement stage, the available primary-source announcements do not establish the number of operational tanks equipped with the technology.

Existing Laser Range Finders Form an Important Part of the Solution

A notable feature of Navyug’s IFF technology is its intended use with existing tank laser range-finding systems.

Modern armoured vehicles employ various sensors and fire-control components to assist their crews in observing targets, determining distances and conducting engagements. Laser range finders provide essential distance measurements and form an important part of this equipment.

Developing additional identification capabilities around existing systems can offer practical advantages. It may allow military operators to introduce new functionality while making use of equipment and infrastructure already available on their platforms.

For defence technology developers, compatibility with existing military equipment is an important consideration because armed forces operate large fleets with established maintenance, training and logistical arrangements.

The approach taken by Navyug reflects the broader importance of developing systems that can complement existing military capabilities.

However, the publicly available institutional announcement does not provide a detailed technical explanation of the system’s identification protocols, hardware architecture or integration requirements. Its confirmed distinguishing feature is the ability to support friendly-target identification using existing laser range-finding equipment.

Navyug Expands Indigenous Defence Technology Capabilities

Navyug Infosolutions operates in the defence technology sector, developing products and systems intended to support military operations, situational awareness and training.

The company has identified Identification Friend or Foe technologies among its areas of specialisation. Its wider defence portfolio also includes unmanned systems, simulation technologies and other military applications.

During the Dubai Airshow 2025, Navyug showcased indigenous defence technologies, including IFF systems, drones and simulation solutions. The exhibition provided an international platform for presenting the company’s technological capabilities.

The company’s development activities reflect the growing participation of Indian startups in specialised defence electronics and software-intensive military technologies.

Unlike conventional defence manufacturing, which often focuses on major platforms and equipment, such companies can concentrate on individual operational requirements involving sensors, communications, software and electronic systems.

These specialised technologies can improve the effectiveness of existing military equipment while creating opportunities for domestic innovation.

Navyug’s IFF development is an example of this approach, focusing on a specific battlefield identification requirement rather than the development of an entirely new armoured vehicle.

iDEX Connects Indian Startups with Military Requirements

The Innovations for Defence Excellence programme was established to promote innovation and technological development within India’s defence and aerospace sectors.

Implemented through the Defence Innovation Organisation under the Ministry of Defence, iDEX encourages startups, micro, small and medium enterprises, individual innovators and other technology developers to address challenges identified by the armed forces.

The programme creates opportunities for military organisations to communicate specialised requirements to Indian companies capable of developing technological solutions.

This approach is particularly relevant to emerging and niche technologies where smaller companies may possess expertise in electronics, artificial intelligence, software development, sensors or other advanced engineering fields.

The Friend or Foe Identification System challenge illustrates how the programme identifies a practical operational requirement and provides a framework for indigenous technology development.

Navyug’s progress from participating in the defence innovation ecosystem to securing Indian Army orders demonstrates the potential of connecting military requirements with domestic engineering capabilities.

The development also reflects the importance of supporting defence startups beyond initial prototypes, helping promising technologies progress towards products that can meet military procurement requirements.

Indigenous Battlefield Electronics Strengthen Aatmanirbhar Bharat

The development of an indigenous IFF system contributes to India’s wider objective of increasing self-reliance in defence technologies.

Modern military capabilities depend on sophisticated electronic systems for communication, surveillance, navigation, targeting and coordination. Developing domestic expertise in these fields can reduce reliance on external technology suppliers and strengthen India’s ability to address specialised operational requirements.

Indigenous systems can also provide opportunities for closer collaboration between military users and technology developers. Such cooperation allows companies to design equipment around the operational environments and requirements encountered by Indian forces.

The participation of startups is especially important in areas where rapid technological innovation can produce new solutions to longstanding military challenges.

Navyug’s achievement reflects this potential. By developing a system intended to reduce friendly-fire incidents and improve battlefield identification, the company has addressed a requirement directly connected with the safety and effectiveness of armoured formations.

The Indian Army orders reported by IIT Delhi’s FITT also highlight the growing opportunities available to domestic companies that successfully develop technologies for defence applications.

Indian Defence Startup Advances from Innovation to Military Procurement

Navyug Infosolutions’ development of an indigenous Identification Friend or Foe system represents an important achievement in India’s defence technology ecosystem.

The solution addresses a documented Indian Army requirement for improved identification during mechanised operations. Its intended compatibility with existing laser range finders provides a practical approach to strengthening battlefield awareness and reducing the risk of accidental engagements.

The institutional support provided through IIT Delhi’s FITT, iDEX and the Defence Innovation Organisation demonstrates the role of collaborative innovation in developing specialised military technologies.

The company’s confirmation of substantial Indian Army orders marks a further stage in this development, connecting indigenous engineering with military procurement.

As India continues to expand its domestic defence technology capabilities, achievements of this nature highlight the contribution of startups to military modernisation. The growing collaboration between the armed forces, research institutions and Indian technology companies is strengthening the foundation for a more self-reliant and innovation-driven defence sector.

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References

1. Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer, IIT Delhi. Official announcement confirming Navyug Infosolutions’ development of an advanced Identification Friend or Foe system and receipt of substantial Indian Army orders.
   https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fittiitdelhi_fitt-iitdelhi-defenceinnovation-activity-7447259429449904128-aVqN
2. Innovations for Defence Excellence, Ministry of Defence. Friend or Foe Identification System – Defence India Startup Challenge 3. Official challenge description outlining the Indian Army’s operational requirement.
   https://www.idex.gov.in/challenges-cpt/23
3. Sanjeev Kumar, Navyug Infosolutions. Primary company representative’s announcement confirming Indian Army orders and acknowledging the contributions of FITT, iDEX and DIO.
   https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sankum_atmanirbharbharat-indianarmy-defenceinnovation-activity-7447491336800436224-Jp9q
4. Navyug Infosolutions Pvt. Ltd. Official company communication describing its defence technologies and IFF development activities.
   https://www.linkedin.com/company/navyug-infosolutions-pvt-ltd-/
5. Navyug Defence. Official company website and defence technology portfolio.
   https://navyugdefence.ai/

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