Raksha Mantri to inaugurate DefConnect 2024 for defence innovation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated DefConnect 2024 at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on March 4, 2024. On this occasion, the Defence Minister launched the Accelerating Development of Innovative Technologies (ADITI-ADITI) scheme along with Innovation for Defence Excellence (IDEX) scheme to encourage innovations in strategic defence technologies.

Advancing Development of Innovative Technologies (ADITI) Scheme:

• Under this, start-ups and innovation efforts in defence technology are eligible to receive grant-in-aid amounting to Rs 25 crore.
• On this occasion, the Defence Minister addressed a gathering of entrepreneurs, innovators and policy makers from the industry.
• This scheme aims to foster youth innovation and propel India's advancement in technology.
• Rs 750 crore has been earmarked for this for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26.
• It aims to develop around 30 deep-tech critical strategic technologies in the proposed time frame.
• It envisages the creation of a 'Technology Watch Tool' to align the needs of the armed forces with the defence innovation ecosystem.
• In the first edition of Aditi, 17 challenges have been launched. Which include:
  • Indian Army (3)
  • Indian Navy (5)
  • Indian Air Force (5)
  • Defence Space Agency (4).
• The Defence Minister said that to inspire young innovators, IDEX was expanded to IDEX Prime. The assistance for this has been raised from Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 10 crore.
• The idea behind schemes/initiatives like ADITI, IDEX, IDEX Prime is to transform India into a knowledge society.

11th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC):

• The 11th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC) was also launched at the event. Which marked the beginning of a new chapter in collaboration between the defence establishment and the start-up ecosystem.
• DISC-11th edition presented 22 problem statements. Which are as follows:
  • Indian Army (4)
  • Indian Navy (5)
  • Indian Air Force (5)
  • Armored Vehicles Corporation Limited (7)
  • Hindustan Shipyard Limited (1).
• It aims to invite innovators to propose innovative solutions to address critical defense challenges. So that they can contribute to increasing the country's defence capabilities and national security.

Domestic defence production crosses Rs 1 lakh crore:

• Our domestic defence production in the year 2014 was approximately Rs 44,000 crore. Today it has crossed the record figure of Rs 1 lakh crore and is continuously increasing.
• 75 percent of the defence capital procurement budget is being earmarked for Indian companies.

Organization of Technology Show-Case:

• A technology show-case was also organized by IDEX-Defence Innovation Organization with a variety of technology start-ups in the defence sector.
• These start-ups are revolutionizing key areas like Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Undersea Detection and Communication, Smart Textiles and Cyber Security.
• These start-ups represent cutting-edge technologies and innovations. These offer solutions to boost defence capabilities, strengthen national security and protect national interests. The showcase highlighted the immense potential of the Indian innovation ecosystem in contributing to defense technology.

DefConnect was started in 2018:

• It was started by PM Modi in the year 2018. Innovation for Defence Excellence presents an integrated platform for various stakeholders in the defence and aerospace sectors.
• It serves as an umbrella organization to oversee technology development and facilitate potential collaborations in this specific area.