SPRINT Scheme:
The Indian Navy has recently inked an agreement with Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd for acquiring armed autonomous boat swarms under the ‘SPRINT’ initiative.
- ‘SPRINT’ Scheme is an initiative to promote development of niche defence technologies by domestic companies.
- The task of development of this technology is one of the 75 challenges that have been introduced by the Indian Navy under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav last year.
- To achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO), in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy till august 2023.
- This collaborative project is named SPRINT {Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), NIIO and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC)}.
- It was launched by Prime Minister in July, 2022.
- It will transform Navy from a ‘Buyer’s Navy’ to a ‘Builder’s Navy.
Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO):
- Defence Ministry had launched the NIIO in August 2020, to encourage innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence sector.
- Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC) will bring together the twin aspects of innovation and indigenization and provide apex level directives.
- Working group under the N-TAC will implement the projects.
- Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC) has been created for induction of emerging disruptive technology in an accelerated time frame.
