India Boosts Defence Cooperation With Uzbekistan: Army Chief General Manoj Pande Inaugurates High-Tech IT Lab At Uzbek Academy

In a significant move to enhance bilateral relations between India and Uzbekistan, General Manoj Pande, the Chief of the Army Staff, inaugurated a cutting-edge IT Laboratory at the Uzbek Academy of Armed Forces as per a report by The Economic Times.

The army chief's visit to Uzbekistan from 15-18 April is seen as a crucial step in strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries, following a commitment made during the Defence Ministers' meeting in September 2018.

The establishment of the IT Lab was initially proposed during this high-level meeting and gained momentum with approval in 2019, funded through the Ministry of External Affairs' 'c' initiative.

The project, initially budgeted at Rs 6.5 crore, saw bids exceeding this amount. Consequently, a sum of Rs 8.5 crore was allocated for its completion. An Indian firm was awarded the contract, ensuring the lab was fully operational in a timely manner.

Furthermore, the lab is equipped with video conferencing terminals, interactive panels, networking devices, and a range of computing equipment including high-end PCs, workstations, and laptops, along with peripherals like printers, cameras, scanners, and storage devices.

This collaborative initiative represents a significant technological advancement for Uzbekistan's defence academy and underscores the deepening partnership between India and Uzbekistan, promising increased cooperation in defence and technology.

The IT lab's establishment is expected to enhance the training resources available to the Uzbek armed forces and foster greater understanding and cooperation between India and Uzbekistan in the field of defence and technology in the future.