AFMS and IISc Forge Partnership to Advance Combat Medical Technologies for Deployed Troops

Pune: The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly pursue research and development in medical technologies designed for frontline troops operating in remote and high-risk environments. The agreement, formalised on Thursday, marks a first for the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) in this domain and aims to strengthen healthcare delivery in operational theatres.

Under the pact, scientists and clinicians will work together on solutions that respond to the unique challenges of combat medicine, including the design of tools, specialised equipment and emerging technologies tailored for harsh conditions. Navakanta Bhat, dean of the division of interdisciplinary sciences at IISc, described the collaboration as significant in expanding research focus into defence-specific medical needs.

IISc’s Department of Bioengineering, which has previously conducted work on advanced wound-healing technologies, will extend its expertise to applications relevant to military healthcare. AFMS will provide clinical insights from service doctors to guide development efforts based on real-time operational requirements.

Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General of AFMS, outlined plans to leverage technology to overcome logistical challenges in inaccessible areas. She noted that the services are preparing to deploy drones for medical supply distribution and expand telemedicine links across difficult terrain. The partnership is expected to help accelerate these initiatives.

As part of the agreement, AFMS medical officers will have opportunities to pursue doctoral research at IISc. AFMC Commandant Lt General Pankaj Rao emphasised that integration with IISc’s engineering talent will allow cadets and doctors to co-develop equipment that directly addresses field conditions.

In parallel with this research collaboration, Vice Admiral Sarin said AFMS is investing in digital health infrastructure to improve service delivery, governance and patient care. This includes rollout of standardised health information systems across the three services, expansion of specialist telemedicine modules and alignment with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission for secure data exchange. AFMS is also working with the Indian Space Research Organisation to expand satellite-linked telemedicine nodes, she added.