Context:
The defence ministry said the ‘INDUS-X’ summit in Delhi marks a “significant milestone” in the collaborative efforts between the two countries.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
- U.S.-India Defense Accelerator Ecosystem (INDUS-X): Promoting Collaborative Defense Innovation
- Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
U.S.-India Defense Accelerator Ecosystem (INDUS-X): Promoting Collaborative Defense Innovation
Launch and Background:
- Initiated in June 2023 during the state visit of the Indian Prime Minister to the US.
Objective:
- Expand strategic technology partnerships and defense industrial cooperation between India and the US.
Key Components of INDUS-X:
- Defense innovation bridge facilitating Joint Challenges, Joint Innovation Fund, Academia engagement, Industry-startup connect, private investment in defense projects, mentoring, and niche technology projects.
Focus Areas:
- Advance high-tech cooperation and foster joint research, development, and production opportunities in the defense sector.
Specific Goals:
- Explore co-production possibilities for jet engines, long-range artillery, and infantry vehicles.
Leadership and Collaboration:
- Led by India’s Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), US.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
- Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is an initiative taken by the government, launched in 2018, to contribute towards modernization of the Defence Industry.
- iDEX aims to promote innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries (which includes MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia).
- iDEX will provide the engaging industries with funding and other support to carry out Research & Development.
- iDEX will be funded and managed by Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), and will function as the executive arm of DIO.
- iDEX has partnered with leading incubators in the country to provide hand holding, technical support and guidance to the winners of iDEX challenges.
Main objectives of iDEX
- To frame ‘corporate Venture Capital’ models for Indian Defence needs thereby identifying emerging technologies, connecting innovators with military units, facilitating co-creation of new and appropriate technologies and so forth into weapon systems used by Indian Armed Services.
- To deliver military-grade products thereby solving the critical needs of the Indian defence set-up by developing or applying advanced technologies.
- To devise a culture of innovation in the Indian Defence and Aerospace by engaging startups and innovators for co-creation and co-innovation.
