New Delhi. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework was launched by the Government with the aim to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace Sector by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia to promote self-reliance.
Up to February 28, 139 iDEX winners have been provided grants/fund. The Services, after successful trials, have placed supply orders on three iDEX winners. Moreover, the Ministry has also accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 13 more iDEX products.
iDEX offers technical handholding through 19 associated Partner Incubators of iDEX, easier and faster access to test facilities/infrastructure available with various Government agencies, co-creation and co-innovation using smooth operating procedures and minimal documentation, to the iDEX winners, thus making the entire regime conducive for them.
iDEX has launched challenges on frontier technologies/ domains like artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality (AR)/ Virtual Reality (VR), Autonomous/ Unmanned Solutions, Stealth, Domain Awareness, Secure Communications, Simulation, Navigation, Predictive Maintenance, Space, Cyber Security etc. to ensure that the Services enjoy a technological edge over their adversaries.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
