DefConnect 4.0: A Step Towards Indigenous Defence Innovation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate DefConnect 4.0 on October 7, 2024, at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi, marking a major milestone in advancing indigenous defence innovation. Organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) under the Ministry of Defence’s Department of Defence Production, the event brings together various stakeholders to promote collaboration and innovation in the defence ecosystem.

Key Event Highlights

The event will feature a Technology Showcase allowing iDEX innovators, start-ups, MSMEs, and industry leaders to exhibit advanced defence technologies and capabilities. The focus will be on fostering dialogue and collaborations that drive innovation within the defence sector. Interactive sessions with industry leaders and defence experts, alongside important launches and announcements by the Defence Minister, will further energize the event.

Recent Budget and Semiconductor Initiatives

A themed session will address recent budget announcements, initiatives in the semiconductor domain, and their impact on the defence innovation landscape. This dialogue will explore how these developments align with India’s goals for self-reliance and the growing importance of semiconductor technologies in defence.

iDEX’s Ongoing Role in Defence Start-ups

Since its launch in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, iDEX has been instrumental in supporting over 450 start-ups and MSMEs, having received over 9,000 applications through 11 editions of Defence India Start-up Challenges. This initiative contributes to the larger vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, promoting self-reliance in defence technologies and strengthening India’s position in the global defence landscape.