Navy indigenises 262 design, development projects

The Indian Navy's institutional approach towards indigenisation and innovation is bearing fruit with more than 250 projects covering the design and development areas. This holds significance keeping the supply chain issues plaguing the country's several military projects.

- MAYANK SINGH

"As many as 262 projects in the field of design and development are at various stages of staff evaluation, of which 171 projects have been contracted under iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence) scheme," said a defence source.

Also, the recently concluded DefConnect 4.0 saw a financial commitment of ₹132.5 crore to the Navy's innovation efforts in a single launch of problem statements. Major equipment under indigenisation through 97 projects of TDF, Make and Revenue routes are accounting for about ₹850 crore, the source added.

The Indian Navy has been at the forefront since 1965 in focusing on indigenisation of the design, development as the leadership, said sources. The force believes in a robust indigenous industry, which is crucial for sustaining an omnipresent blue-water force that the Navy has evolved into.