Lok Sabha Question No. 3738 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Startups in Defence
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3738

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  December, 2019

## STARTUPS IN DEFENCE

## 3738. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Department  of  Defence  Production  deals  with  matters  such  as  defence production and indigenization of imported equipments;
- (b) if so, whether the Government is allowing startups to enter defence ecosystem;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the challenges before Defence India Startups;
- (d) whether electronic hardware incubator, the Maker Village from Kerala, has sought an offer for establishment of defence production units in its space; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

(a) to (e):  A statement is attached.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e)  OF  LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3738 FOR ANSWER ON 11.12.2019 REGARDING 'STARTUPS IN DEFENCE'.

(a) : Yes, Sir. (b) and (c) :

- I. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework, was launched with the aim to achieve self-reliance and 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. Initially, 15 problem statements were  launched.  44  iDEX  winners  have  so  far  been  identified  for  14  problem statements.  3  new  problem  statements  have  been  launched  recently  to  expand  the network.
- II. Furthermore, DRDO  has launched a program termed as 'Technology Development  Fund  (TDF)'  for  meeting  the  requirements  of  Tri-Services,  Defence Production and DRDO. The scheme has been established to promote self-reliance in Defence  Technology  as  part  of  the 'Make  in  India' initiative  by  encouraging participation of public/private industries especially MSMEs.
- III. Further, 'Make-II' procedure has been simplified to encourage wider participation  of  Indian  industry,  with  impetus  for  MSME/Start-ups  and  timely induction  of  equipment  into  Indian  Armed  Forces.  The  'Start-ups'  recognized  by Department  for  Promotion  of  Industry  and  Internal  Trade  (DPIIT),  are  eligible  to participate under 'Make-II' procedure. In addition, the framework for implementation of 'Make II' at OFB and DPSU level has also been notified.

## The Challenges given so far under iDEX are enclosed at Annexure.

(d) & (e): Maker Village, Kochi is now a Partner Incubator in the iDEX program.

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## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (b)  &  (c)  OF  LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3738 FOR ANSWER ON 11.12.2019 REGARDING 'STARTUPS IN DEFENCE'.

## DISC I

| i.       | Individual Protection System with in-built sensors                                                                       |
|----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ii.      | See Through Armour                                                                                                       |
| iii.     | Carbon Fibre Winding (CFW)                                                                                               |
| iv.      | Active Protection System (APS)                                                                                           |
| v.       | Secure hardware based offline Encryptor Device for Graded Security                                                       |
| vi.      | Development of 4G/LTE based Tactical Local Area Network                                                                  |
| vii.     | Development of Advanced Technology Based Desalination System (Water Purification) and Bilge Oily Water Separation System |
| viii.    | Artificial Intelligence in Logistics &Supply Chain Management (SCM)                                                      |
| ix.      | Remotely Piloted Airborne Vehicles                                                                                       |
| x.       | Laser Weaponry (No winner identified)                                                                                    |
| xi.      | Unmanned Surface and Underwater Vehicles                                                                                 |
| DISC II  | DISC II                                                                                                                  |
| i.       | GPS Anti Jam Device                                                                                                      |
| ii.      | Data Analytics for Air Trajectory                                                                                        |
| iii.     | Illegal usage of Drones                                                                                                  |
| iv.      | RADAR - IQ Signal Generator                                                                                              |
| DISC III | DISC III                                                                                                                 |
| i.       | Four-axis stabilized antennae for C &KUband operation                                                                    |
| ii.      | To create a Portable Spoof Emitter for surveillance and ground-based air defence weapons                                 |
| iii.     | Friend or Foe Identification System                                                                                      |

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