November 4, 2024
The government aims to reach INR 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029-30, reinforcing its Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative
Rajnath Singh called on Indian youth to develop indigenous high-end technologies to support India’s self-reliance goals
Programmes like iDEX and ADITI are promoting start-ups and innovation by offering grants of up to INR 25 crore for critical defence technology
IIT Kanpur's role in defence innovation was underscored, with MoUs signed to boost partnerships with BEML, HAL, and Kanpur University
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised the progress of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, asserting that the drive yielded tangible results, targeting INR 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029-30. At IIT Kanpur’s 65th Foundation Day, Singh urged young innovators to create high-end technologies domestically to reduce import dependency, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.
The Defence Minister pointed out that defence exports, which stood at approximately INR 600 crore a decade ago, surpassed INR 21,000 crore in the fiscal year 2023-24. He expressed optimism that this growth would continue, positioning India as a significant global player in defence production and exports.
Singh underscored the importance of technology in modern warfare, noting the rise of drones, laser systems, cyber and hypersonic missiles, and precision-guided weaponry. He highlighted the necessity for indigenous development of such technologies, stressing that reliance on imports was a major challenge to achieving complete self-reliance.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to supporting innovation, Singh outlined initiatives like iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), which provides up to INR 1.5 crore to start-ups and innovators. He also detailed the ADITI scheme, aimed at fostering innovations in strategic defence technology, with potential grants of up to INR 25 crore for eligible projects.
Singh acknowledged IIT Kanpur’s role as an academic catalyst, which is essential for nurturing ideas from inception to product development. During the event, IIT Kanpur showcased a defence innovation exhibition featuring advancements from 23 start-ups, including autonomous systems, AI-based surveillance, and next-gen communication technologies. Singh interacted with founders and research teams, commending their contributions to enhancing national security.
Signing MoUs strengthened key partnerships, including collaborations between IIT Kanpur, BEML, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to promote military logistics and innovation. A formal partnership also bolstered Kanpur University’s incubation efforts. Secretary of DDR&D and DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V. Kamat presented sanction letters for six transformative projects, while SIDBI extended financial support to iDEX-funded start-ups.
Source: Economic Times