Govt Inititiaves Fuel Indigenous Defence Start-ups And MSMEs

New Delhi, Dec 7 (KNN) The Indian government has launched several strategic initiatives aimed at positioning the country as a global hub for defence research and technology, with an estimated investment of Rs 1,264 crore.

These comprehensive efforts focus on integrating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, and academic institutions into the defence technology ecosystem.

The Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, a flagship programme executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), stands at the forefront of these efforts. 

To date, the scheme has sanctioned 79 projects valued at Rs 334.02 crore, designed to encourage industries in developing cutting-edge defence technologies. 

Aligned with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision, the government provides funding up to Rs 50 crore per project as a grant-in-aid, fostering indigenous technological innovation.

Complementing the TDF scheme, the DRDO has established 15 Industry Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs) across premier institutions including the Indian Institute of Science, various Indian Institutes of Technology, and other central and state universities. 

These centres have been allocated approximately Rs 930 crore for 264 projects, featuring state-of-the-art laboratories and infrastructure to attract top-tier researchers and innovators in identified defence and security domains.

The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework represents another critical component of this comprehensive strategy. 

Launched with a five-year budget of Rs 498.80 crore, the scheme aims to provide financial support to nearly 300 start-ups, MSMEs, and individual innovators. 

Additionally, the annual Pan India Dare to Dream Innovation Contest, initiated in 2019, continues to invite innovative ideas from entrepreneurs and individuals in defence and aerospace sectors.

Four editions of the Dare to Dream Contest have been successfully conducted, with a total of Rs 5.43 crore awarded as cash prizes. 

The current edition, Dare to Dream 5.0, was launched on October 18, 2024, further demonstrating the government's commitment to nurturing indigenous defence innovation. 

Selected innovators receive not just monetary recognition but also DRDO's support in transforming their awarded ideas into functional prototypes through the TDF scheme.

These multifaceted initiatives underscore the Indian government's strategic approach to developing a robust, self-reliant defence technology ecosystem by leveraging the creative potential of start-ups, MSMEs, and academic institutions.

(KNN Bureau)