According to a report in the Lok Sabha by Defence Minister of State Sanjay Seth, the Indian government has approved 79 projects totaling ₹334 crore under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) initiative. With an emphasis on micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) and start-ups, this statement emphasizes the government’s commitment to strengthening domestic capabilities in the defense sector through more engagement from public and private sectors.
One of the Ministry of Defense’s (MoD) main programs, the Technology Development Fund Scheme is carried out by DRDO as part of the “Make in India” campaign. The plan to support enterprises, particularly MSMEs and start-ups, to develop diverse defense technology has been approved by the Union Government. This plan is in line with the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision by incorporating new industries into the development and production of defense technology. According to the minister, the industry receives grant-in-aid funding of up to ₹50 crore each project.
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and a number of Central and State Universities are among the esteemed establishments where the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has set up DRDO Industry Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs). This project
The Government of India introduced the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework in April 2018 with the goal of promoting technological advancement and innovation in the defense and aerospace industries. Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, individual innovators, research and development organizations, and academic institutions are just a few of the many stakeholders that this project aims to involve. The main objective is to increase India’s defense capabilities’ capacity for self-reliance.
A total of 79 projects with an estimated ₹334 crore in funding commitments have been authorized. This comprises a sizable number of projects meant to improve defense technology development.
The TDF scheme has allotted ₹120 crore since January 2023, and ₹43.89 crore of that amount has already been distributed as grant-in-aid to the different sectors participating in these initiatives.
The TDF
Since its launch in January 2022, the program has helped 20 start-ups and 16 MSMEs, encouraging technical innovation in these industries.
In order to encourage innovators, entrepreneurs, people above the age of 18, and start-ups (established by Indians and recognized by DPIIT) to contribute creative ideas in the defense and aerospace industries, DRDO has been holding the Pan India Dare to Dream Innovation Contest every year since 2019. The TDF plan supports the development of the greatest ideas into prototypes, which are identified and awarded by DRDO through this contest.
Unmanned aerial system advancements and sophisticated simulation tools for military applications are two examples of successful initiatives that are essential for improving operational capabilities within the armed services.
Through targeted investment and support for cutting-edge technology, this project underscores India’s policy shift towards strengthening its domestic industrial capabilities while lowering its reliance on defense imports.
