Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Inaugurate DefConnect 4.0 to Foster Indigenous Innovation
New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to inaugurate DefConnect 4.0 in the national capital on Monday, an initiative aimed at boosting indigenous innovation within India’s defence and aerospace sectors. The event will take place at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantt, organized by Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO), under the auspices of the Defence Ministry’s Department of Defence Production.
According to an official statement from the Defence Ministry, “DefConnect 4.0 marks a milestone in India’s defence innovation journey, bringing together the Armed Forces, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), industry leaders, innovators, start-ups, MSMEs, academia, incubators, investors, and policymakers.” This collaborative platform is designed to enhance dialogue and foster partnerships among key stakeholders in the defence ecosystem.
The event will feature an “exciting technology showcase,” providing iDEX innovators with a unique opportunity to present their cutting-edge technologies and advanced capabilities. This showcase aims to engage a diverse audience, sparking discussions that drive innovation forward and focus on building strong collaborations.
DefConnect 4.0 will also include significant launches and announcements from the Defence Minister, along with interactive sessions featuring industry leaders and defence experts. A themed session will highlight recent budget announcements, key takeaways for the defence innovation ecosystem, and the latest initiatives in the semiconductor sector.
Since its inception, iDEX has successfully launched 11 editions of Defence India Start-up Challenges, receiving over 9,000 applications and currently collaborating with more than 450 start-ups and MSMEs on pivotal projects. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, iDEX serves as a unified platform that aligns various stakeholders in the defence and aerospace sectors, contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
Earlier this year, during the launch of the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme at DefConnect 2024, Defence Minister Singh emphasized the importance of strategic autonomy for India. He asserted that dependence on weapon imports poses risks to the nation’s ability to make independent decisions on global issues aligned with its national interests.
As DefConnect 4.0 unfolds, it is expected to play a crucial role in advancing India’s defence capabilities and promoting self-reliance in the sector.
