9NOVEMBER 2025TATA SIGNS MoU WITH NIELIT TO PREPARE NAGALAND YOUTH FOR CHIP INDUSTRYThe urban drone manufacturer ideaForge Technology Ltd announced on Friday that it has obtained a supply order valued at approximately 100 crore from the Indian Army for its advanced tactical unmanned vehicle Zolt and the all-terrain VTOL drone, SWITCH 2.The capital emergency procurement order for its Zolt is estimated at approximately 75 crore, after a comprehensive and thorough evaluation process involving extensive field trials in electronic warfare (EW) settings and strict checks on the country of origin, while the SWITCH2 order is estimated at Rs 30 crore, stated ideaForge.Tata Electronics has signed a fresh MoU with NIELIT Kohima to train young people in Nagaland for roles in the semiconductor industry, with a clear focus on ATMP functions. The agreement is part of the growing effort to prepare a skilled workforce for India's expanding chip manufacturing plans.Under the partnership, both sides will develop industry-ready training programmes, build updated curriculum, and offer recognised certifications.Tata Electronics will also provide internships and vocational training, giving students direct exposure to real production environments before they enter the The firm introduced the two UAVs at the Aero India exhibition in Bengaluru earlier this year.Zolt is a versatile platform designed for long-range ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and accurate payload delivery, specifically built for modern defense operations, integrating performance, autonomy, and robustness for ISR, while SWITCH 2 has been proven in combat and is now part of the Army's inventory for ISR tasks, according to ideaForge."This order underscores our commitment to delivering best-in-class systems to our soldiers and creating long-term value for our shareholders while actively shaping the future of this technology and driving adoption," Ankit Mehta, Co-founder and CEO, ideaForge Technology Ltd, said.Designed for operation in high-risk, high-altitude, and signal-competitive settings, Zolt provides strong electronic counter-countermeasures features, encompassing GNSS-denied autonomy and resistance to communication jamming, the firm stated. workforce. The training will target ATMP jobs, a core segment of semiconductor production.The skilling push is expected to support talent development across Nagaland and the wider Northeast. The timing aligns with Tata Electronics' upcoming semiconductor assembly and test facility in Jagiroad, Assam. The plant is projected to create around 27,000 jobs, including about 15,000 direct roles, open-ing opportunities for youth trained under this programme.Speaking about the MoU, Dr Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics, said, "The Government of India has envisioned the establishment of a self-sufficient electronics manufacturing ecosystem in India. To build a strong semiconductor industry and for India to become a key player in the global semiconductor value chain, talent is one of the fundamental requirements."NIELIT Director General Dr Madan Mohan Tripathi said the collaboration supports the National Education Policy 2020 by strengthening digital skills and encouraging innovative learning.With NIELIT's academic base and Tata Electronics' manufacturing expertise, the MoU sets up a clear pathway to build a workforce aligned with the needs of India's growing semiconductor industry. ARMY PLACES 100 CRORE ORDERS FOR IDEAFORGE ZOLT SWITCH 2
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