Innovations for Defence Excellence:
The Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation has inked an MoU with EdCIL (India) Limited to foster the development of dual-use cutting-edge technologies , driven by the new ASPIRE (Accelerating Strategic Progress in Research and Education) program.
- Innovations for Defence Excellence is the flagship initiative launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
- The objective of the scheme is to cultivate an innovation ecosystem in the Defence and Aerospace sector by collaborating with startups, innovators, MSMEs, incubators, and academia.
- It will be funded and managed by a ‘Defence Innovation Organization (DIO)’
- Defence Innovation Organization has been formed as a ‘not for profit’ company as per the Companies Act 2013 for this purpose, by the two founder members. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
- iDEX functions as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities while DIO provides high level policy guidance to iDEX.
- It offers grants and support for R&D with significant potential for future adoption in Indian defence and aerospace
- It is currently engaged with over 650 start-ups and MSMEs.
