Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the ‘iDEX Investor Hub’ (iIH), under which more than Rs 200 crores had already been pledged by leading Indian investors. Defence Minister also launched the ninth edition of ‘Defence India Startup Challenges (DISC 9)’ on “Cybersecurity” during the annual defence innovation event ‘Manthan’ as part of the Aero India 2023.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is the flagship initiative of the Department of Defence Production to encourage start-ups and other such entities engaged in defence innovation. The iDEX Investor Hub‘ aims to accelerate investment in the Defence sector and give investors a unified view of opportunities and innovations.
Key Points of Defence Minister Launched ‘iDEX Investor Hub’, Rs 200 cr Already Pledged
- DISC 9 launched the first collaboration of iDEX with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (i4C) division of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- These challenges have been curated from Services, DPSUs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, revealing the deep impact and interest iDEX has generated in the Defence industry.
- DIO has also signed MoUs with ISRO, IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), and ISpA (Indian Space Association) to further strengthen the Defence Space.
- Another MoU was signed with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to potentially launch start-up challenges in the future.
- The fourth edition of the Innovate4Defence internship (i4D) was also launched, inviting applications from students from all over India, during the event.
- Rajnath Singh also released the Indian Army’s compendium of ‘110 Problem Statements’ for indigenous defence research, design, development, and manufacturing ecosystem.
- The ‘Problem Statements’ highlight the Indian Army’s technological challenges and requirements in various domains ranging from Armament, Surveillance & Fire Control Systems to niche domains such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Metaverse, Robotics, Quantum Technology, Cyber, and ‘Amortisation’ of Ammunition.
- This Compendium would enable focused efforts towards modernizing the Indian Army with indigenous solutions, thereby building a stronger ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
- Industry and Academia will be hand-held by the Indian Army through various research and development routes including iDEX, Technology Development Fund (TDF), and Army Technology Board (ATB).
