Rs 300 crore allocated by Defence Ministry to foster Make in India defence tech innovations

The Ministry of Defence has sanctioned over Rs 300 crore through its Technology Development Fund (TDF) to enhance capabilities in cutting-edge technology and promote 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence, according to an official statement.

Fostering Indigenous Innovation
The Technology Development Fund (TDF) is a flagship programme under the Ministry of Defence, executed by DRDO as part of the 'Make in India' initiative. It aims to provide grants-in-aid to Indian industries, MSMEs, startups, and academic institutions for developing defence and dual-use technologies not currently available in India's defence industry.

Supporting MSMEs and Start-ups
The initiative aims to foster a culture of design and development in military technology, particularly by engaging private industries like MSMEs and startups. This collaboration is crucial for meeting the current and future needs of the Armed Forces and the defence sector.

Enhancing Industry Capabilities
The TDF aims to enhance the capacity and capability of Indian industries in designing and developing defence technologies. By creating an R&D ecosystem that integrates industry and academia, the Ministry seeks to achieve self-reliance ('Aatmanirbharta') in defence technology and bolster the country's defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Success Stories Under TDF
The Defence Ministry highlighted successful start-ups benefiting from the scheme. Pune-based Combat Robotics developed an innovative simulator for unmanned vehicles, supporting UGVs, UUVs, USVs, and UAVs. ChiStats Labs in Pune is developing virtual sensors for aero gas turbine engine health monitoring using AI/ML technologies. In Bengaluru, NewSpace Research and Technologies innovated an autonomous drone for indoor operations, enhancing capabilities in search and rescue, surveillance, and environmental monitoring.

Contributing to Technological Advancements
The projects are set to revolutionize unmanned aerial systems, providing solutions for diverse applications such as hazardous environment exploration. Developed under the mentorship of CAIR, Bengaluru, these advancements mark significant progress in defence technology.

The Defence Ministry on Wednesday highlighted several successful startups benefiting from the scheme.

Pune-based startup Combat Robotics, with the help of the scheme, has successfully developed an innovative simulator for unmanned vehicles. This multi-domain simulator supports unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), serving as an excellent development tool for agencies working on autonomous systems.

Another Pune-based defence equipment startup, ChiStats Labs Private Limited, is developing virtual sensors for aero gas turbine engine health monitoring, which helps to increase the operational reliability and longevity of the engines. The system is built on modern artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) technologies.

Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies Pvt. Ltd., under the project titled 'Autonomous Drone as First Responder for Search and Report Operations in Enclosed/Indoor Environments', has created a cutting-edge UAV capable of exploring indoor environments under various conditions, including zero light.

The success of this project will open up various applications, including search and rescue operations, surveillance, industrial inspections, environmental monitoring, and hazardous environment exploration, contributing significantly to technological advancements in unmanned aerial systems, the Ministry added. The technology has been developed under the technical guidance and mentorship of CAIR, Bengaluru.

The Ministry's allocation of Rs 300 crore through the Technology Development Fund underscores its commitment to advancing indigenous defence technologies. By supporting innovation and fostering collaborations with MSMEs and startups, India aims to strengthen its defence capabilities and achieve self-sufficiency in defence technology.

(With inputs from ANI)