. 09/10/2024 6:34 PM
Boosting Innovation in Defence: ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12 to Strengthen India's Defence Technology Ecosystem
India’s Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, has launched two key initiatives—ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12—at DefConnect 4.0 in Delhi. These initiatives aim to strengthen India’s defence technology ecosystem by encouraging innovation and providing financial support for new ideas.
ADITI 2.0 focuses on solving 19 major technology challenges in advanced areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technology, military communication systems, and anti-drone technology. Innovators and startups with successful solutions to these challenges can receive financial grants of up to ₹25 crore. This program is designed to bring cutting-edge technology to India’s defence sector.
DISC 12 is the 12th Defence India Start-up Challenge, and it introduces 41 new technology challenges. These challenges focus on areas like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and medical technologies specifically for the Armed Forces. It also includes the Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) initiative, which aims to create advanced medical technologies for military personnel. The top innovators can win grants of up to ₹1.50 crore to support their projects.
Both ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12 are part of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, which promotes innovation in the defence sector. In partnership with the Atal Innovation Mission, iDEX helps start-ups and small businesses (MSMEs) develop new technologies for defence. iDEX has already reviewed over 9,000 applications and supported more than 450 companies in bringing their innovations to market.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that before 2014, there was limited involvement of the private sector in India’s defence industry. Since 2014, the government has actively worked to bring more private companies into the sector to develop advanced technologies that meet India’s military needs. The aim is to boost innovation and create state-of-the-art defence solutions within India.
To help innovators succeed, the SIDBI iDEX Partner Incubator Fund will provide ₹50 crore to 10 incubators. These incubators will support the winners of iDEX challenges by providing the financial backing they need to turn their ideas into practical defence technologies.
A key focus of these initiatives is to create new and innovative technologies, rather than copying existing military solutions. The government is encouraging start-ups and private sector innovators to think ahead and develop technologies that can meet future defence challenges, ensuring India stays at the forefront of global defence technology.
During DefConnect 4.0, winners of the ADITI 1.0 challenge were recognised for their achievements, and top iDEX participants showcased their innovations in areas like munition systems, surveillance, and space technologies. This event highlighted the vibrant, forward-looking approach India is taking towards building its defence technology ecosystem.
These initiatives are part of a larger effort to push India towards becoming a leader in defence technology, encouraging new ideas from start-ups, MSMEs, and private companies. With ADITI 2.0, DISC 12, and iDEX, the government is laying the foundation for a stronger, more innovative defence sector that will meet both current and future challenges.
