Semiconductor policy key to improving defence mfg: Navy chief Tripathi

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Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has said India's semiconductor policy is essentially "new oil for the economy" and important to improve the country's defence manufacturing.

Speaking at an event here on Monday, he also asked the private sector to take the lead in order to make the country self-reliant.

If India has to become self-reliant, then the private industry must take the lead in defence manufacturing, he said.

The Ministry of Defence has set aside Rs 450 crore this year for the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme, which aims to help startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) innovate, Admiral Tripathi said.

"The MoD has earmarked 75 per cent of our modernisation budget for the defence industry, which is almost Rs 1 trillion. And out of that, 25 per cent has been earmarked for the private defence industry in this budget. This year, Rs 450 crore has been successfully allocated for iDEX scheme," he said.

Since its inception in 2018, the iDEX has signed almost 400 contracts, the official added.

"There are positive expectations from the semiconductor policy, especially for the technology-driven Navy. This new policy will certainly benefit both the civilian and the defence sectors. It is, essentially new oil for the economy," he said.

"The new policies provide grants of up to Rs 1.5 crore for small projects, while the Aditi scheme offers funding of up to Rs 25 crore for niche technologies," Admiral Tripathi said.

He called for collaboration with industry leaders to meet the Navy's future technology needs, and said the force wants to "fully involve and work with you".

Highlighting the Navy's new approach to working with industry, Admiral Tripathi said, "We have shifted from being customers to collaborators, from merchants to partners."  Task forces have been set up to approach the industry, understand the technologies on offer, the time frame and imbibe things that are lacking currently, he said.