- Recently, the Defence Minister has approved the budgetary support of Rs. 498.8 crore to Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) challenge under the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) for the next five years.
- Earlier, the Defence Minister released an E-booklet titled ‘20 Reforms in 2020’ highlighting the major reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2020
Important points:
- The iDEX initiative was launched by the Prime Minister in April 2018.
- It aims to achieve self – reliance and foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia.
- iDEX is funded and managed by the DIO, and functions as the executive arm of DIO.
- DIO is a ‘not for profit’ company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.
- Its two founding members are Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) & Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) – Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). HAL and BEL are navratna companies
- It will provide the engaging industries with funding and other support to carry out Research & Development.
- Self-reliance in manufacturing of defence equipment is a crucial factor for maintaining India’s strategic autonomy.
- India’s arms imports fell 33% between 2011-15 and 2016-20, said a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
- iDEX has partnered with leading incubators in the country to provide hand holding, technical support and guidance to the winners of iDEX challenges.
SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT