Defence ministry initiative to encourage start ups succeeds

After the identification of critical projects this year for development and induction into the forces including a swarm drone system and smart loitering munitions, a defence ministry initiative to encourage start ups to bring in innovative solutions for military problems has succeeded .

Given the current challenge on the eastern border and the proliferation of smart, both the projects were identified after a challenge in which start ups and technology companies across the country participated. Both the projects  are critical, precise attack weapons that have shaped modern warfare.

While the IDeX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) challenge came into existence in 2018, this year steps a significant mark up with cutting edge attack technology identified for development by the private sector; something that had been under the purview of state-owned defence organisations in the past. Officials are of the view that the response from the Indian start up ecosystem has been encouraging, particularly when it comes to futuristic weapon systems.

“IDeX has shown that our startups can take up the challenge of cutting edge technologies in large number of cases for defence and aerospace and deliver them. The startups are particularly strong in digital technologies and as we move towards weapons and equipment becoming smart and unmanned, the importance will continue to grow,” defence secretary Ajay Kumar said.

Of the nine projects chosen this year, it has been learnt that one pertains to the air launched smart drone system being designed by HAL to beat enemy air defences like the ones deployed by China in Tibet after the Ladakh crisis broke out. This is to be developed by the Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research & Technologies.

Two other critical projects relate to the development of smart loitering munitions that will be developed for the air force and navy by Telangana-based Avision Systems.

Loitering munitions have proven to be critical in recent conflicts with their ability to carry out precise attacks behind enemy lines. Officials say that an innovative approach by the industry has been important to the success of the programme.

There is an understanding in the system that the growing start up ecosystem can be used to fill critical gaps. “It is a bridge that we are creating between the start up eco- system and the defence establishment. There are certain things that can be done better by start ups and MSMEs than the conventional system,” remarked Sanjay Jaju, additional secretary, Department of Defence Production.

Officials said that some start up products that had been identified in the initial stages have been able to complete development and have reached the procurement stage in less than 18 months.

While there have been attempts in the past, including roping in of premier educational institutes for product development, there had been limited success as timelines were not met and there was no guarantee of procurement.