AI Meets Defense Innovation: MiPhi and CENJOWS Sign MoU to Create a Chair of Excellence in AI

 New Delhi, April 21, 2025, MiPhi Semiconductors Private Limited, a strategic joint venture between Micromax Informatics and Phison Technology, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS)—a premier tri-services think tank under the Indian Ministry of Defence—to establish a Chair of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Held by a distinguished military leader, strategic affairs expert, or technologist, the Chair will serve as a catalyst for transformative research and policy innovation across India’s evolving defense and semiconductor landscape. This landmark collaboration signals a major leap forward in the country’s journey toward full-scale indigenous production of advanced memory chips—designed and made in India, for India, powered by advanced intelligence.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by esteemed members of the CENJOWS Executive Council, highlighting the national importance of the initiative in advancing technological sovereignty and defense readiness.

The Chair of Excellence between MiPhi and CENJOWS will focus on:

• Promote advanced research in AI-enabled joint warfare, military-grade semiconductor technology, strategic studies, and national defense policy.
• Drive military-academic-industry collaboration by producing high-impact white papers, capability studies, and policy frameworks.
• Mentor and develop future-ready talent, both within the armed forces and India’s defense-tech ecosystem, with a focus on AI fluency and strategic innovation.
• Represent the Miphi-CENJOWS initiative in national and global forums, bringing visibility to India’s emerging leadership in AI for defense.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Prasad Balakrishnan, CEO of MiPhi Semiconductors, said, “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to building a self-reliant tech ecosystem that not only fulfils India’s semiconductor needs but also contributes to secure, AI-driven defense innovations. Through this partnership with CENJOWS, we aim to develop a comprehensive, AI-first war solution playbook—grounded in deep research, data analytics, and predictive algorithms. By exploring a wide matrix of permutation-combination scenarios, our goal is to deliver smarter, faster, and safer outcomes. This ensures intelligent resource allocation, mission success, and enhanced strategic decision-making across all dimensions of warfare.”

“Al will be one of the biggest game changers for the Indian Defence forces for our future conflicts. We need to have indigenous solutions for our need as only then we can maintain the strategic autonomy. This chair of excellence supported by MiPhi will be a great catalyst for meeting our requirements.” Commented Major General Ashok Kumar, VSM (Retd.) Director General, CENJOWS

As India advances its vision of jointness, integration, and strategic autonomy, the MiPhi–CENJOWS Chair of excellence will serve as a cornerstone for, driving discourse on AI and emerging tech in military doctrine, bridging the gap between defense services and domestic tech innovation, alongside creating an intellectual ecosystem to support India’s long-term strategic autonomy in critical defense technologies.

From autonomous systems and cyber warfare to battlefield analytics and secure memory chip design, this initiative reflects MiPhi’s larger vision of “AI for Bharat, by Bharat.” Together, MiPhi and CENJOWS are building a world-class hub of knowledge and innovation—laying the groundwork for next-gen defense solutions and a future-ready India in semiconductors and AI.

About MiPhi Semiconductors Private Limited

MiPhi Semiconductors Private Limited, founded in 2024 as a joint venture between Micromax Informatics and Phison Electronics, is at the forefront of AI-enabled storage solutions and semiconductor design. The company aims to revolutionize the global AI and storage markets by developing advanced NAND storage solutions and advancing India’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.

MiPhi focuses on creating cost-effective, high-performance storage products to meet the growing demands of AI and computing, with a particular emphasis on reducing GPU costs. Headquartered in India, MiPhi supports the ‘Make in India’ initiative by fostering technological self-reliance, generating local employment, and enhancing global competitiveness. The company envisions India as a leader in AI storage and semiconductor innovation, driving transformative technologies worldwide.

About CENJOWS

CENJOWS was raised at the initiative of Ministry of Defence on 27 Aug 2007. and is registered under ‘The Societies Registration Act 1860’. The centre has been set up to:

• Rise above sectoral and departmental legacies and examine joint warfare and synergy issues in their entirety.
• Provide the much-needed interface between various stakeholders, viz the government, public and private sector, academia, NGOs and civil society.
• Initiate debates and discussions in an independent and unbiased milieu for emergence of best possible alternative.