March 1, 2020
RaIDer-X has the capability to detect explosives from a stand-off distance. A data library can be built in the system to expand its detection capability
RaIDer-X has been jointly developed by the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) Pune, a premier laboratory of DRDO, and the IISc
Defence exports in India have grown seven folds in the last two years from over US$213 million in 2016-17 to more than US$1 billion in 2018-19
The valuation of Indian defence industry’s annual production has steadily risen, from US$10.4 billion in 2016-17 to US$11.3 billion in 2018-19
RaIDer-X, the new explosive detection device, was unveiled at the National Workshop on Explosive Detection (NWED-2020) in Pune by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru on March 1. RaIDer-X has the capability to detect explosives from a stand-off distance. A data library can be built in the system to expand its capability to detect a number of explosives in pure form as well as with the contaminants. Bulk explosives in a concealed condition can also be detected by the device. RaIDer-X has been jointly developed by the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) Pune, a premier laboratory of DRDO, and the IISc.
The NWED-2020 was inaugurated on HEMRL’s diamond jubilee celebration. The new device is a leading example of collaboration between academia and the DRDO in developing defence equipment. Driven by such innovations, R&D and manufacturing capabilities as well as favourable policies, India is emerging as a key defence exporter. The authorisation for defence exports in India has grown seven folds in the last two years from over US$213 million in 2016-17 to more than US$1 billion in 2018-19. During the first nine months of FY 2019-20, India’s defence export was valued at over US$825 million. Meanwhile, the market for India’s defence export currently spans more than 40 nations.
Innovations such as the NWED-2020 are key to making India independent in terms of its defence needs while also raising export income. Innovation ecosystems like the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), along with funding aid, have involved MSMEs, startups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and Academia in the defence and aerospace industry along with large players. Backed by the vast and growing network, the industry’s annual production value has steadily increased, from US$10.4 billion in 2016-17 to US$11.3 billion in 2018-19. In the first nine months of 2019-20, the sector’s output was valued at over US$7 billion. India is targeting a US$26 billion defence industry by 2025.