The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), a pivotal initiative by the Department of Defence Production, has achieved a significant milestone by securing its 300th contract. This contract is focused on advancing Gallium Nitride Semiconductors, crucial components for the next-gen wireless transmitters used in defence applications, spanning radars to Electronics Warfare (EW) jammers. Currently, most GaN components are imported due to their sensitive nature and high-end technology, restricted for export by several countries. The proposal aims to develop and produce GaN components indigenously in India, a move set to substantially boost indigenous design and development capabilities, opening doors for extensive potential in the defence sector, including exports.
The signing of the contract took place in New Delhi on December 1, 2023, with the Additional Secretary (Defence Industries Production) & CEO/DIO T Natarajan representing the Department. This achievement comes within nine months of iDEX’s 200th contract signing under the Indian Navy Prime challenge initiated as part of the SPRINT initiative on February 15, 2023. The 150th contract was signed in December 2022.
Addressing the event, Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane commended the innovators and emphasized the pressing need for accelerated development of indigenous technologies. He praised iDEX for reaching the milestone of the 300th contract and urged officials to sustain the impressive pace of connecting innovators with the Defence Sector.
Furthering the ‘Make in India’ commitment, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) inked a procurement contract with iDEX winner M/s Blurgs Innovations Private Limited for their solution ‘TRIDENT.’ This intelligent maritime domain awareness tool enhances maritime security through anomalous detection, facilitating quicker decision-making. This marks the first procurement order by a Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) under the iDEX scheme.
Launched by the Prime Minister in 2018, iDEX aims to foster co-creation and co-development in the defence sector, engaging startups and nurturing the defence and aerospace industry in India. Administered by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) under the Department of Defence Production, iDEX has swiftly emerged as a game-changer in the defence ecosystem through programs like DISC, Prime, and Open Challenges (OC). It has catalyzed the growth of startups, generated employment, and attracted skilled talent back to India, earning the Prime Minister Award for Public Policy in the Innovation Category for 2021.