Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the ‘ SPRINT Challenge ‘ during the Naval Innovation and Indigenization Organization (NIIO) seminar “Swavlamban” in New Delhi. This challenge aims to boost indigenous technology usage in Indian Navy. The NIIO, in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), as a part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mohotsav’ and to achieve independence in defence, aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies.
SPRINT stands for Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), NIIO, and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC), which Prime Minister launched in July 2022. Under SPRINT, the Indian Navy has signed an agreement with Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd. The agreement is signed for armed autonomous boat swarms.
Naval Innovation and Indigenization Organization
The Ministry of Defence launched the Naval Innovation and Indigenization Organization in August 2020. This organization encourages indigenization and innovation for self-reliance in the defence sector. The NIIO is a three-tier organization consisting of the Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC), a working group under N-TAC, and a Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC).
This is what the Prime Minister said at the seminar
India has to work continuously to increase its indigenous technologies. The goal is to take India’s Navy to an unprecedented height. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that developing 75 technologies is inspiring, and India can fulfil it soon. The Indian Navy needs to be self-reliant as its role is continuously increasing, as oceans and coasts have a huge importance in India’s economy. Imported goods can’t be a source of innovation and need to be indigenous.
Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence is a Central Ministry charged with supervising and coordinating all functions and agencies of the government relating directly to the Indian Armed Forces and national security. The Ministry of Defence was created in 1776 under the Supreme Government of the English East India Company at Kolkata. This ministry provides policy framework and resources in the context of the country’s defense to the armed forces. The Defence Ministry has the Indian Armed Forces and Indian Coast Guard under it, responsible for ensuring the nation’s territorial integrity.
Different departments under the Ministry of Defence are the Department of Military Affairs, Department of Defence, Department of Defence Production, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, and Department of Defence Research and Development. Various universities and institutions are also coming under the administration of the Ministry of Defence, including the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, the National Defence University, and the Defence Institute of Psychological Research.
