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Rajnath Singh Urges Private Sector to Lead in Defence Innovation
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has urged the private sector to step up from mere participation to leading the development of the defence sector, assuring full government support. Speaking at the Twaral DRDO-Industry Workshop on Defence Technology Acceleration in New Delhi on October 18, 2024, Singh emphasized the need for India to become a global hub for innovation and technology, propelling the nation into one of the strongest in the world.
Technology’s Role in Defence Transformation
Addressing industry leaders, start-ups, and academia, Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted how technology has transformed modern warfare, introducing new dimensions such as drones, cyber warfare, bio-weapons, and space defence. He praised the collaboration between scientists, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs in bolstering India’s defence capabilities, calling on the private sector to take the lead in adapting to rapid technological changes.
‘Dare to Dream 5.0’ and Deep-Tech Challenges
In line with promoting innovation, the Raksha Mantri launched ‘Dare to Dream 5.0,’ an initiative aimed at encouraging start-ups and innovators to develop transformative defence technologies. Deep-Tech challenges were also announced to address critical areas such as compact electromechanical actuators and high-purity silicon carbide for naval applications, ensuring India’s technological edge in defence infrastructure.
Government Support for Defence R&D
Highlighting the government’s commitment, Singh mentioned the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, which offers up to 90% of project costs as grants to MSMEs and start-ups. With 79 projects already sanctioned under TDF, 18 have successfully developed technology, reflecting India’s growing self-reliance in defence innovation.
Shri Rajnath Singh concluded by emphasizing the importance of disruptive technologies and urged the private sector to ensure timely rollouts to stay ahead in the fast-evolving global defence landscape.
