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Rajnath Singh to Inaugurate DefConnect 4.0 in Delhi
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh is set to inaugurate DefConnect 4.0 on October 7, 2024, at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt. The event, organized by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), is a significant step towards advancing indigenous defence innovation and celebrating the country’s rapidly growing defence ecosystem.
A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation
DefConnect 4.0 aims to bring together the Indian Armed Forces, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), industry leaders, innovators, start-ups, MSMEs, academia, incubators, investors, and policymakers. The event will feature a comprehensive Technology Showcase, allowing iDEX innovators to present their advanced technologies, cutting-edge capabilities, and groundbreaking products. This showcase will facilitate engagement between stakeholders, encouraging collaboration and sparking new ideas that drive the defence innovation ecosystem forward.
The event will also include a themed session focusing on recent budget announcements and key takeaways for the defence innovation ecosystem, particularly in areas like the semiconductor domain. The discussions will highlight the latest initiatives in the sector, exploring how India can continue its journey towards self-reliance in defence technology.
Promoting Indigenous Defence Innovation
During the event, Rajnath Singh will make significant announcements and launches related to the defence innovation ecosystem. Interactive sessions with industry leaders and defence experts are also planned, making DefConnect 4.0 a hub for knowledge-sharing and networking.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, iDEX has so far conducted 11 editions of the Defence India Start-up Challenge and has received over 9,000 applications. Currently, it is collaborating with more than 450 start-ups and MSMEs on various projects, contributing to India’s vision of becoming a global defence innovation leader by 2047 under the ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiative.
