'Reflection of govt's resolve to create self-reliant sector': Rajnath Singh on launching Defence India Startup Challenge 5.0

New Delhi, Aug 20: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lanuched Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) 5.0 under Innovations for Defence Excellence - Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) via video coneferencing. He stated that DISC 5.0 is a reflection of Government’s resolve of creating an ‘AatmaNirbhar’ defence sector.

 

Singh exuded confidence that this challenge will move forward from its earlier editions and take innovation, design & development to newer heights. He underlined the importance of creating a strong, modern & well-equipped military and equally capable & self-reliant defence industry. He also urged the private sector to contribute towards building a self-reliant defence industry, assured all possible support.

 

 

Thirty-five Problem Statements - 13 from the Services and 22 from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) - were unveiled under DISC 5.0. These are in areas such as Situational awareness, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Aircraft-trainer, Non-lethal devices, 5G network, Underwater domain awareness, Drone SWARMS, and data capturing. The Problem Statements, designed to ensure military advantage in the foreseeable future, are the highest in any edition, so far, read the release by the Ministry of Defence.

 

 

He also lauded the efforts of iDEX-DIO, Singh, in his address, termed DISC 5.0 as another step towards independence in the defence sector as the launch comes at a time when the country is celebrating 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' He said iDEX is playing a crucial role by providing a platform wherein the government, services, think tanks, industry, startups, and innovators can work together to help the defence and aerospace sectors reach full potential.

 

The Minister expressed confidence that iDEX will support five times more start-ups over the next five years as the aim is to accelerate progress, reduce costs, and complete procurement in a time-bound manner. For this, he said, there is a need to adopt the concept of 5 Is (Identity, Incubate, Innovate, Integrate, and Indigenous).

 

Commending various stakeholders for indigenously developing world-class technologies, he called for identifying and developing new technologies to take forward the vision of 'Make in India - Make for the World'. Singh called upon the private sector to come forward and contribute towards building a self-reliant defence sector and assured all possible support of the government.

 

 

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence were present at the launch of DISC 5.0. The iDEX initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2018 to achieve self-reliance and foster innovation & technology development in defence and aerospace sectors.