New Delhi: During his address at the Twaral DRDO-Industry Workshop on Defence Technology Acceleration held at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi on October 18, 2024, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh encouraged the private sector to take a proactive leadership role in India's defence industry rather than just participating. The event brought together scientists, industry leaders, academics, start-ups, MSMEs, and young entrepreneurs to promote innovation and expedite the development of defence technology. Singh assured that the government would provide full support to help India establish itself as a hub for innovation and technology, thereby enhancing its global standing.

Discussing the changes in the defence sector, Singh noted that modern warfare has evolved from conventional methods to unconventional tactics, with advancements in drones, cyber warfare, bio-weapons, and space defence. He emphasized the critical role of Research and Development (R&D) in this new era and praised the collaboration among scientists, industrialists, academics, and entrepreneurs.

He stated, “The private sector must now take the lead in adapting to rapid technological changes and driving new innovations to excel in unconventional warfare,” recognizing the government's commitment to facilitating this transition through initiatives like the Technology Development Fund (TDF) and other schemes.

The defence minister emphasized the TDF, which provides up to 90% of project costs, with a maximum limit of Rs 50 crore, for eligible MSMEs and start-ups focused on defence R&D. Since its inception six years ago, 79 projects have been approved, with 18 already yielding successful technological advancements.

He also announced the launch of ‘Dare to Dream 5.0,’ aimed at inspiring the next generation of innovators and start-ups to propose transformative ideas for defence applications. This fifth iteration of DRDO’s innovation contest seeks to promote cutting-edge solutions that will help India achieve self-reliance in defence technologies.

At the event, Rajnath Singh honored the winners of ‘Dare to Dream 4.0,’ recognizing their groundbreaking innovations in areas such as counter-drone measures, acoustic gunfire location systems, directed energy technologies, and cognitive listening devices. These winners were acknowledged for their significant contributions to India's growing defence innovation ecosystem.

The minister remarked that the challenges addressed by these innovators reflect the commitment of India’s industrial and scientific communities to ensuring the nation’s security. He stressed the importance of both incremental and disruptive technologies, urging scientists and entrepreneurs to think creatively.

The workshop also included discussions on critical and emerging technologies, emphasizing the need for international R&D partnerships and promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, commended the winners of Dare to Dream 4.0, underscoring the value of homegrown talent in establishing a robust, self-reliant defence sector.

The event was attended by Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), Lt Gen JP Mathew, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, and other senior civil and military officials. The workshop laid the groundwork for future collaborations and innovations, highlighting the vital role of the private sector in India's defence modernization efforts.

BI Bureau