Context:
The Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO), under the aegis of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, is organising DefConnect 2024 at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on March 04, 2024.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO):
Launch and Affiliation:
- Launched in 2018, iDEX-DIO is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
Objective:
- Aims to foster an innovation ecosystem in the Defence and Aerospace sector.
- Collaborates with startups, innovators, MSMEs, incubators, and academia.
Funding and Management:
- Funded and managed by the ‘Defence Innovation Organization (DIO),’ established as a not-for-profit company under the Companies Act 2013.
- HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) and BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited) are the two founder members, forming DIO for this purpose.
Functioning:
- Serves as the executive arm of DIO, responsible for executing all necessary activities.
- DIO provides high-level policy guidance to iDEX.
Support Offered:
- Provides grants and support for Research and Development (R&D) projects with substantial potential for future adoption in the Indian defence and aerospace sectors.
Engagement:
- Currently engaged with over 400 startups and MSMEs, fostering collaboration and innovation in the defence and aerospace industry.
