Emphasising on the importance of ‘Ideation, Innovation and Incubation’ in cutting edge-technologies to achieve the goal of indigenisation and self-reliance in the defence sector, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that India will emerge as a net innovator and net exporter of defence technologies rather than a net importer.
“Our Prime Minister Narendra Modiji has set a target of USD 5 trillion economy by 2024. Looking at the talent India possesses, I am pretty confident that we can become USD 10 trillion economy in the next 10-15 years,” he said, while addressing the inaugural session of ‘Def Connect 2019’ organised by Ministry of Defence to showcase the accomplishments of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative in national capital.
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“India is leading in the fields of technology and peacekeeping throughout the world. As a major power, it is equally important for us to strengthen our defence manufacturing and research&development,” he said. He also highlighted that ‘Make in India’, ‘Startup India’ and ‘Atal Innovation Mission’ are some of the initiatives taken by the Union government to provide the requisite environment to innovative minds in the country. He said that the aim of iDEX is to recognise talent and harness it to the youth, MSMEs, startups and the fast-emerging private sector.
Secretary (Defence Production) Subhash Chandra explained that the aim is to fund 250 startups and achieve 50 tangible innovations in the next five years. He also claimed that the ministry is seeking approvals of Rs 500 crore additional budget for the purpose.
The defence minister described ‘Incubation’ as the most critical challenge. “The idea may be great and the innovative mind can also find a solution. However, unless the process of careful and passionate incubation provides the ideal environment for nurturing and hand-holding a creation, projects might fail,” he said.
While maintaining that iDEX is emerging as a suitable platform for linking knowledge and power and tapping the energy of the youth, Singh said, “The human mind is the most powerful and creative laboratory which tests millions of ideas on a daily basis. And when ideas are given the wings of freedom and the flight of imagination, new and innovative solutions are created.” He also called for building a cohesion between public and private sectors and assured government’s support in the indigenisation of the defence industry.
The event brought together all stakeholders of the iDEX ecosystem—MoD, iDEX selected startups, partner incubators, Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), nodal agencies (Indian Army, Navy, Air Force), DRDO, DPSUs, Indian Ordnance Factories (IOFs), MSMEs and Industry associations to showcase the growth of the defence ecosystem in the country and recognise the infinite potential of the MSMEs or startups for future growth of the defence sector in the country.
More than 350 startups participated in the event.
