In a decisive step towards bolstering domestic defence capabilities, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has unveiled the ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX) scheme.
This ambitious initiative dedicates a corpus of ₹750 crore to propel cutting-edge defence technology development within India over the next three years (2023-24 to 2025-26).
ADITI signifies a significant push towards achieving self-reliance in the defence sector. Its core objective is to close critical technology gaps faced by the Indian Armed Forces.
The scheme specifically targets the development of 30 essential technologies by 2025-26, directly contributing to enhanced indigenous defence capabilities.
Fostering Start-Up Innovation
The ADITI scheme recognizes the pivotal role of startups in driving technological innovation. As such, it offers substantial support to startups working on promising defence technologies.Startups stand to gain grant-in-aid of up to ₹25 crore, significantly facilitating the path from ideation to the development of tangible solutions for India's defence needs.
Building on the Success of iDEX
Notably, ADITI expands upon the successful foundation laid by the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework. Operating as 'ADITI Prime', this component provides higher-level assistance and reflects a broader, more robust commitment to encouraging innovation in the defence sector.Defence Minister Emphasizes Knowledge-Driven Progress
During the launch of ADITI, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored the profound importance of nurturing a knowledge-driven approach to defence development.He stressed that ADITI will not only empower India's Armed Forces but also propel the nation's aspirations of becoming a global knowledge hub.
Analysis
The ADITI scheme signals India's intent to reduce reliance on foreign defence technologies. Increasingly, a focus on self-sufficiency is seen as a strategic imperative.By providing financial and developmental support, ADITI could catalyze the contributions of India's vibrant startup ecosystem, fostering a new generation of domestically produced defence solutions.
