- The Ministry of Defence’s flagship initiative, Innovations for Defence Excellence (IDEX), has reached a significant milestone with the signing of the 250th contract.
- On May 15, the first Mission DefSpace contract and the 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract were inked.
What exactly is the Innovations for Defence Excellence (IDEX) programme?
- IDEX is a government project that was established in April of this year.
- Its goal is to aid in the modernization of the defence industry.
- The project aims to promote innovation and technological growth in the defence and aerospace industries.
- Under iDEX, industries such as MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes, and academics are involved.
- IDEX gives money and assistance to various businesses in order for them to conduct R&D activities.
- IDEX is funded and managed by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), which also serves as its executive arm.
IDEX’s most notable accomplishments
- The first Mission DefSpace IDEX contract was exchanged between MoD authorities and InspeCity, the winner of the contest to create a micro propulsion system for CubeSats.
- Under Mission DefSpace, InspeCity is developing a gas-based tiny micro propulsion system that can be combined with satellites such as the CubeSat swarm.
- Individual innovators, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and startups have submitted over 7,500 applications to IDEX.
- Thousands of employment have been created as a result of the programme, and India’s talent has been drawn back to the country.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1924179#:~:text=Innovations%20for%20Defence%20Excellence%20(iDEX,Delhi%20on%20May%2015%2C%202023.