Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said India's Aatmanirbhar drive was "yielding the desired results" and the country was poised to reach Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029-30.
Defence Minister appeals to the Indian youth to indigenously develop high-end technologies that the country imports and realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat' on the 65th Foundation Day celebrations at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
He extensively elaborated the need of commanding high technology and initiated budding minds toward recognizing their own potential towards aiding the process of this land. This is why he called them academic engines, as at such establishments like IIT Kanpur, there lies excellent scope for infusion into the country with the vibrant dynamism in today's stiffer contesting atmosphere.
Defence exports, which had been around just Rs 600 crore 10 years ago, crossed a record number of Rs 21,000 crore in the Financial Year 2023-24, as government efforts towards achieving self-reliance are turning out to be highly successful. He exuded confidence that the progress would continue and defence exports will reach Rs 50,000 crore by 2029-30.
Highlighting the increasing role of technology in the defence ecosystem across the globe amidst ongoing conflicts, Defence Minister said that the use of drones, laser warfare, cyber warfare, precision guided missiles and hypersonic missiles has transformed warfare into a technology-oriented one.
The biggest hurdle in achieving 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence is that we are compelled to import some high-end technologies necessary for our items. There is a need to focus on the defence application of modern cutting-edge technologies in view of the changing nature of warfare, he added.
Rajnath Singh told that the government would definitely support this effort, that with all stakeholders-private, academia, everybody-it's going to be defence self-sufficiency in making India.
"India has dreamt to be developed on the shoulders of our youngsters by 2047. We should put in all our might to make it materialise. There is an age-old proverb, 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together'. We will need to move together to accomplish our aim," he stated.
Rajnath Singh spoke about the initiative taken by the government by mentioning the steps that can help the nation become self-reliant in terms of innovation, through defence. He even added that under the Innovation for Defence Excellence initiative, there is a grant of Rs 1.5 crore offered to innovators and start-ups.
He further added that Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme was launched to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies, wherein start-ups are eligible to receive grant-in-aid of up to Rs 25 crore for their research, development, and innovation endeavours in defence technology.
The Defence Minister stated that the creation of technology has three major steps, which are ideation, application & production, and that institutions like IIT Kanpur can play a big role from incubating ideas to creation of products. He underlined the significance of coming out with products and technologies, which once developed, become a necessity for Armed Forces.
The Defense Innovation Program and its importance were addressed, as the institute is trying to help inculcate innovation to develop this "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" of Prime Minister Modi's vision.
This is supplemented by IIT Kanpur, hosting special defense innovation under 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. IIT Kanpur's SIIC Defence Research, Product and Incubation showcase provided pioneering solutions from 23 SIIC-incubated start-ups, unveiling developments in areas such as next-generation communications, AI-aided surveillance and other autonomous systems.
The Defence Minister took his time to interact with start-up founders and research teams at the display stalls. He appreciated their contribution toward enhancing national security.
Several MoUs were signed to further strengthen partnerships in this regard, such as that between IIT Kanpur and BEML and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for progress in military logistics & defense innovation, and with the Kanpur University for improving incubation efforts. Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of DDR&D and DRDO Chairman, accorded sanction letters for six transformative DRDO projects. An additional boost to the vital funding support was given to iDEX-funded start-ups by SIDBI's Matching Offer.
It had a huge set of discourses about the nation's recent defense endeavors by carrying out activities such as iDEX Defence India Start-up Challenge 12 and ADITI 2.0 Challenges. Therefore, the attendees got much more insight into this place concerning information as well as knowledge pertaining to the defense landscape of innovation.
Rajnath Singh commemorated this day with the plantation of a number of memorial trees by taking this achievement as one part of the infinite heritage of IIT Kanpur toward technology and defense while carrying on a vision which can sustainably grow towards eternity.
Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, Director of IIT Kanpur Prof Manindra Agrawal, Professor-in-Charge of SIIC Prof Deepu Philip, students and distinguished alumni of the institute were present on the occasion.
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