New Delhi, Feb 25 (KNN) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Indian Navy, has described India’s semiconductor policy as ‘essentially new oil for the economy’ that will significantly benefit both civilian and defence sectors, particularly for the technology-driven Navy.
Speaking at an event on Monday, Admiral Tripathi emphasised the importance of private sector leadership in defence manufacturing to achieve self-reliance.
“If India has to become self-reliant, then the private industry must take the lead in defence manufacturing,” he stated.
The Admiral highlighted key financial commitments from the Ministry of Defence, noting that 75 percent of the modernisation budget, approximately Rs 1 lakh crore, has been allocated for the defence industry. Of this amount, 25 percent has been earmarked specifically for the private defence sector.
Additionally, Rs 450 crore has been allocated this year for the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme, which supports start-ups and small and medium enterprises in innovation. Since its establishment in 2018, iDEX has signed nearly 400 contracts.
Admiral Tripathi detailed that new policies provide grants up to Rs 1.5 crore for small projects, while the Aditi scheme offers funding up to Rs 25 crore for niche technologies.
Emphasising the Navy’s evolving relationship with industry, Admiral Tripathi remarked, “We have shifted from being customers to collaborators, from merchants to partners.”
He called for collaboration with industry leaders to address the Navy’s future technology requirements, expressing the Navy’s desire to ‘fully involve and work with you.’
The Navy has established task forces to engage with industry representatives, understand available technologies and timelines, and identify areas for improvement.
(KNN Bureau)
