NewsGate Press Network

The third edition of Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI 3.0) challenge and 13th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 13) were unveiled on Tuesday the 29th of October 2024.

It was formally inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar held at  ‘Swavlamban’ at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The ADITI 3.0 features a challenge from the Indian Navy to design a High-Power Microwave Weapon System.

The DISC 13 presents seven challenges – three from Indian Army and two each from Indian Navy & Indian Air Force – in the domains of Artificial Intelligence, military communication and autonomous bots among others.

It was stated during the day long seminar that Indian Navy has received over 2,000 proposals from Indian industries under the SPRINT challenges.

SPRINT stands for Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, Naval Innovation & Indigenisation Organisation and Technology Development Acceleration Cell.

Rajnath Singh said that these proposals have been converted into 155 challenges, which will help in completing 171 contracts.

In addition, the Swavalamban initiative has collaborated with 213 MSMEs and start-ups under iDEX.

Till now, Acceptance of Necessity of more than Rs 2,000 crore has been given in 19 cases, of which contracts worth up to Rs 784 crore have been completed.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi reiterated the Indian Navy’s commitment to safeguard national maritime interests, adding that to facilitate this journey, a solemn resolve has been made to become a ‘Fully Aatmanirbhar Force’ by 2047.

He mentioned that through collaborative efforts of Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and NIIO, 173 challenges presented to the Industry by the Navy, including all the 75 challenges launched till date.

“The overwhelming success of our previous two editions has inspired us to expand the scope and scale of this year’s edition through the launch of new transformational technology challenges and a Hackathon.

This landmark edition is also witnessing the largest ever participation of delegates from across our defence sector, including counterparts from the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard as well as Central Armed Police Forces, Defence PSUs and DRDO,” the Chief of the Naval Staff added.