Rise of New Age Technologies in India’s Defense Sector
Considered as a developing country on the rise, India is not that far behind in entering this group as major developments could be seen in the Adoption of Technology in India’s Defence Sector along with a rising economic graph.
Standing amongst world leaders holding the supremacy of deciding on world matters is not a walk in a park.
Comprised of 195 countries at present, major global matters are concluded amongst a few close-knitted groups of countries and the power that make them stand out is nothing but their well-established economy and their superior defence sector.
Considered as a developing country on the rise, India is not that far behind in entering this group as major developments could be seen in the Adoption of Technology in India’s Defence Sector along with a rising economic graph.
Surviving in this modern jungle that is ruled under who is better at leveraging new-age technologies, can be quite an arduous task in itself.
Regardless, we cannot ignore the fact that the speed India has adopted in adopting these technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, etc., is a feat worthy to be praised.
Especially considering the Adoption of Technology in India’s Defence Sector, the rate at which India’s defense sector is leveraging these new technologies can completely transform the Indian defense capabilities in the next few years. This might start a new era of technological warfare with India at the front lines.
Recollecting some of the notable steps India has taken in the Adoption of Technology in India’s Defence Sector in the last few years, let’s take a look at their achievements to get a better idea of how far India has come since its independence.
Key Developments in Leveraging New Age Technologies in India’s Defence Sector
Citing some of the major developments that led to the Adoption of Technology in India’s Defence Sector are:
- Not lagging in terms of Adoption of Technology in India’s Defence Sector has already established the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), a DRDO lab.
- The lab works majorly in the area of R&D in AI, information and communication security as well as robotics.
- In another set of development, India’s defence sector has also started working on an innovative project named Energy Harvesting Based Infrared Sensor Network for Automated Human Intrusion Detection or EYESIRa that is partially based on IoT mechanisms.
- Indian Army also recently established the Quantum Lab at Military College of Telecommunication under the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
- An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre was also set up at the same time with support from industry and academia.
- Adding another feather to the list of developments, an e-symposium event was conducted by SAMDeS with the support of FICCI last year, where RKS Bhaduria, IAF Chief Marshal, expressed IAF’s interest in the integration of the AI concepts for combat operations soon.
Way Forward in the Adoption of Technology in India’s Defence Sector
Although the above-mentioned were only a little chunk of developments undertaken by the Indian defense sector since last year, they have already laid out a detailed roadmap of the Adoption of Technology in India’s Defence Sector.
Identified as one of the most promising sectors in playing a pivotal role in achieving the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, India’s defense sector has been steadily growing its reach in the start-up ecosystem.
Citing government data, India has identified around 194 start-ups in the defense technology space that are now utilizing new-age technologies to develop new solutions for empowering the nation’s security.
Focused projects have been established in integrating AI and Robotics for the Adoption of Technology India’s Defence Sector, as new start-ups aimed at providing AI tools and drones are coming forward.
If you want to learn more about the use of robotics in India’s defense sector, you can check out my previous article, “Is India Ready to Leverage Robots in Defence Industry?”.
Cutting down India’s reliance on defense imports that made up to lakhs of crore deals every year, the defense ministry has recently introduced the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, thereby pushing for indigenous innovation and technology development in the Adoption of Technology in India’s Defence Sector as well as aerospace.
Under the iDEX, India’s government has started offering special grants and joint development collaboration of defense-based private enterprises with the defense sector.
Top India’s Defence Based Technology Startups
Though we have talked in length about some of the major developments in the Adoption of Technology in India’s Defence Sector, let’s check out some innovative defense-based start-ups that have stirred quite a commotion with their innovative projects and solutions.
EyeROV- Founded in 2016, Kochi-based EyeROV is currently developing an efficient underwater inspection system with its marine robotic solutions
ideaForge- Based in Mumbai, ideaForge has its hands in over 90 percent of the market share in the security and surveillance segment as the company is involved in the manufacturing of defense equipment and parts.
Vinveli- Founded in 2014, Vinveli is working towards indigenous UAVs or drones for Special Forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Torus Robotics- Headquartered in Chennai, Torus Robotics saw its inception in 2019 when they offered Indian armed forces modular Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) for diverse mission requirements.
