German Defence Minister attends iDex event at IIT Delhi

New Delhi: Following his bilateral meeting with Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, German Federal Minister of Defence Mr Boris Pistorius attended an event of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) start-ups at Research & Innovation Park, IIT Delhi on June 06, 2023. Partner Incubator of iDEX, FITT-IIT Delhi co-hosted the event.

The event included a briefing on iDEX followed by showcasing of game-changing technologies by Indian start-ups on Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, Energy Systems, Smart Drones and Anti-drone systems, Space Propulsion systems and other allied technologies. 

Additional Secretary (Defence Production)& CEO Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) Shri T Natarajan briefed the German Minister of Defence the growth of India's Defence Innovation Ecosystem through the iDEX scheme and opportunities for collaboration in global emerging technology sectors.

Other issues highlighted include the need to enhance defence-industrial cooperation, technology partnerships, long-term research & development and improving supply chain security. 

The event also brought into focus the promotion of co-development and co-production in India, including potential areas and projects where Indian and German start-ups can work together.

About iDex

Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence approved a central sector scheme viz. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)with budgetary support of Rs. 498.80 crore for 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The objective of the scheme is to provide financial support to nearly 300 Startups/ MSMEs/ individual innovators and about 20 Partner incubators through Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).

The Government encourages the start-ups to contribute to the defence sector and develop aerospace setup in the country by providing substantial grants, easier and faster access to test facilities/infrastructure available with various Government agencies, co-creation and   co-innovation using smooth operating procedures and minimal documentation, and facilitating procurement, thus making the entire regime conducive for them.

(Defence Watch– India's Defence News centre that places the spotlight on Defence Manufacturing, Defence Technology, Strategy and Military affairs is on Twitter. Follow us here and stay updated.)