iDEX DISC7 (SPRINT) challenges- last date 15th August 2022

 

SPRINT (Supporting Pole-vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO and TDAC) is a collaborative project between the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and NIIO aimed at developing atleast 75 indigenous technologies / products as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The challenges span across a wide range of niche technology fields including Artificial Intelligence (AI), autonomous and unmanned systems and Information Technology. Challenges will be considered under both DISC (Defence India Startup Challenge) and Prime categories of iDEX which have provisions for grants upto Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 10 crore respectively. In addition, suo moto proposals submitted by innovators and startups under the IDEX Open Challenge category are also being considered under SPRINT.

See the challenges here: 

https://idex.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-07/iDEX%20DISC%207%20SPRINT%20Challenge%20description%20.pdf

Application form: https://idex.gov.in/form/disc-7-sprint

Institutions that shaped modern India- DRDO

Ravi kumar Gupta , the author, served at DRDO as a DRDS Scientist for over 35 years and superannuated in May 2015 as Scientist G and Director Public Interface at the DRDO headquarters. The book was written with the aim of presenting a holistic picture , the manner and scenario under which it was formed , its visionary leaders, the eventful journey and how it shaped the defence infrastructure and ecosystem in the country.

Catching up:

Development in weapon system in advanced countries have been invariably driven by innovativeness of their defence scientists and the ability of such scientists to think well beyond the existing systems and technologies. Here, in India, TDE ( Technical Development Establishments , earlier called Inspectorates) and others insisted that development work by the DRDO should be taken up for only after the services had laid their requirements in the form of Qualitative Requirements/ Operational Requirements (Qrs/Ors). The Qrs/Ors were invariably based on the products already available abroad.

Technology Transfer

Import and produce under license is a powerful lobby favouring big ticket imports and killing all local efforts to develop technologies. Air guided anti tank missile was one early example. Initial goal post was range of 1.5km, when that was reached, QRs increased operating range to 4km and finally product imported from France. Myth of Technology transfer resulted in component to component development with no design capability.

Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

The appointment of DR VS Arunachalam as the SA to RM and Secretary DDR&D in 1982 was the turning point. During his leadership, several programmes were launched including IGMDP, LCA, UAV,Sonars, Torpedoes etc. His initiatives were supported by R Venkataraman, Defence Minister. Dr Kalam took command of the organisation in 1992 when DRDO enetered the development of mega systems. The rest is history.

Book available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/INSTITUTIONS-THAT-SHAPED-MODERN-INDIA/dp/9390356725

DRDO technologies for licensing

DRDO has listed several dual use/ commercial technologies under category B. They can be checked at:
https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/English/index.jsp?pg=cat-b-technology.jsp

The following agencies can be contacted for Technology Transfer

1. National Research Development Corporation
2. Confederation of Indian Industry
3. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry
4. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India

 Technologies transferred are listed at:
https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/English/index.jsp?pg=cat-b-tech-delivered.jsp

Additional list of technologies ready to transfer are at:
https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/English/index.jsp?pg=cat-b-tech-ready.jsp

Report of the Forum on High-Tech Defence Innovation

India is the largest arms importer in the world, which means that it is exporting not only foreign exchange, but also entire eco-systems that a thriving defence industrial complex could have generated for India, with all its benefits.  India needs to urgently discard its “Import with Benefits” model and usher in a Defence Industrialization Strategy (DIS) through indigenous, high-tech innovation.  A successful plan has to dig practically into every aspect of our Nation’s functioning, outlined in the more detailed report below. The Report is the Forum’s voice, an articulation of what it stands for.

Defence off set contract condition Vs Phased Manufacturing Programme

New set of conditions for defence procurement  stipulate foreign firms to support development of Indian capabilities by way of technology transfer and local procurement. In this context, lessons learned in implementing Phased Manufacturing Programme by DGTD prior to liberalisation could still be relevant:

• Technology transfer is a commercial decision involving two private firms and for government wishes/ contracts to be enforced, liberal funding support need to be provided simultaneously to Indian firms to take up R&D projects to develop technology absorption capacity.  
• Innovation is driven by demand and defence needs to give a fair opportunity to Indian firms by giving out long term (10-15 years) development  contracts.
• Do away with pre-approved (budget) funds for DRDO, let all funds flow thru developmental contracts from Defence.

DEFTECH 2011

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) is organizing a Seminar & Exhibition on Defence Technology scheduled on 26-27 August 2011 at Manekshaw Auditorium, New Delhi, India.CENJOWS is the official think tank of HQ Integrated Defence Staff (HQIDS), Ministry of Defence, Government of India and represents all the three services.
For Exhibition related queries, please contact Mr Amit Kumar at amit.kumar@cii.in.