The government of India has approved seven such innovate projects of domestic startups for catering to various needs of the armed forces and also to foster the aerospace and defence sectors. This, as the Defence Research & Development Organisation says, is part of a general strategy to support the MSMEs and startups in these crucial sectors.

Indigenous development of these technologies will strengthen the military-industrial ecosystem, a DRDO spokesperson said.

Key among these projects would be the development of an indigenous toolkit for pilot simulator training for realistic scenario-based trainings, comprehensive mission planning and large force engagements. This has been granted to Noida-based start-up firm Oxygen 2 Innovation.

Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd, Pune, has been asked to develop an underwater Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. This multi-role marine battlefield accessory will feature numerous combat roles that straightforwardly emphasize Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Maritime Domain Awareness.

IROV Technologies Pvt Ltd, Kochi-based, will be engaged for the 'Long-range Remotely Operated Vehicles for Detection & Neutralisation' project. The dual-use system will aim to detect, classify, localize, and neutralize underwater objects while clearing key assets away from the suspected operational area.

The 'Ice Detection Sensor for Aircraft' has been awarded to Bengaluru-based Craftlogic Labs Pvt Ltd. This technology will detect the in-flight icing conditions caused by super-cooled droplets of water, which freeze on impact with the aircraft's external surfaces, thereby enabling the aircraft's anti-icing mechanisms.

The 'Radar Signal Processor with Active Antenna Array Simulator' has been tasked for development in Data Pattern (India) Limited, Chennai. Notwithstanding the foundational technology for higher class radar systems, the multiple target systems find deployment for the test and evaluation of short-range aerial weapon systems.

The 'Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-based Timing Acquisition & Dissemination System' programme was awarded to Accord Software & Systems in Bengaluru for indigenization of the timing acquisition and dissemination system. It will make use of the Indian Constellation for acquiring time and develop a customized, flexible timing system tailored for range requirements.

Coimbatore-based Alohatech will devise methods to formulate conductive yarns and fabrics using graphene nanomaterials and conductive inks. This also includes the development of high-performance e-textiles for practical clothing applications.

Often, these projects simply reinforce the commitment of the government to building domestic capabilities and innovation in the defence and aerospace sectors as a stepping stone toward the realization of a more robust and self-reliant military-industrial ecosystem in India.