To boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector, the Defence Ministry launched a Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO). The naval organisation will put in place dedicated structures for the end users to interact with the academia and the industry to foster innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence, in keeping with the vision of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’.
NIIO
The NIIO is a three-tiered organisation. Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC) will bring together the twin aspects of innovation and indigenisation and provide apex level directives. A working group under the N-TAC will implement the projects. A Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC) has also been created for induction of emerging disruptive technology in an accelerated time frame.
The Draft Defence Acquisition Policy 2020 (DAP 20) envisages service headquarters establishing an Innovation & Indigenisation Organisation within existing resources. Indian Navy already has a functional Directorate of Indigenisation (DoI) and the new structures created will build upon the ongoing indigenisation initiatives, as well as focus on innovation.
The Indian Navy signed memorandums of understanding with the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), the Raksha Shakti University (RSU) in Gujarat, the Maker Village in Kochi and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM). Aiming to achieve self-reliance in the aerospace and defence sector the government of India announced setting up of two defence industrial corridors with one situated in Uttar Pradesh and the other in Tamil Nadu. Maker Village is a unique incubator which provides everything necessary for a hardware startup to innovate, design, and build a product. The SIDM is the apex body of the Indian defence industry with a role as an advocate, catalyst, and facilitator for the growth and capability building of the defence industry in India.
Further, an online discussion forum for engaging domestic industry and academic institutes has been created in partnership with RSU and was launched. A compendium of Indian Navy’s Indigenisation perspective plans titled ‘SWAVLAMBAN’ was also released.
