In a determined stride towards building self-reliant defence capabilities, Swavlamban 2024, the
Indian Navy’s flagship innovation and indigenisation event, took place in New Delhi over two impactful days, bringing together a cross-section of the country’s defence, government, and industry leaders. The third edition of Swavlamban, themed “Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigenisation,” spotlighted India’s transition from defence dependency to a burgeoning innovation-led ecosystem, symbolising a strategic shift from policy to practice in the country’s defence narrative.
Held at Bharat Mandapam, the event opened its doors to startups, MSMEs, and innovators across the defence and technology sectors, drawing attention from prominent figures such as Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The exhibition, open to the public on 28-29 October, featured demonstrations of advanced technologies and hosted key discussions on the hurdles and potential of achieving self-reliance in the defence sector.
Innovation at the Forefront
Swavlamban 2024 comes at a critical juncture as India ramps up efforts to secure its strategic autonomy. Addressing attendees on the opening day, Admiral Tripathi emphasised the role of partnerships in building an “Innovative Navy.” He highlighted how the Navy’s commitment to becoming a fully self-reliant force by 2047 aligns with the government’s push toward achieving Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The event showcased pioneering products developed by Indian startups and MSMEs under the Defence Innovation Organisation’s (DIO) iDEX initiative, with challenges addressing real-time security needs and offering pragmatic solutions.
Day one also saw a unique session designed to bridge the gap between fund-seeking startups and venture capitalists, incubators, and industry leaders. This outreach effort reflected a proactive approach to closing funding gaps and fostering collaboration, particularly in addressing challenges within the
iDEX’s ADITI 2.0 program. Eminent dignitaries from the Armed Forces, academia, and the Defence Attaché Corps were present, symbolising both support and anticipation of the ecosystem’s growth potential.
Strategic Initiatives and Funding Commitments
Day two elevated the Swavlamban agenda to a national stage with the launch of the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI 3.0) challenge and the 13th Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC 13), unveiled by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. These initiatives set a progressive tone for the future of defence technology development in India. ADITI 3.0 notably features a new challenge for the Indian Navy to design a High-Power Microwave Weapon System, while DISC 13 encompasses seven advanced challenges across AI, autonomous bots, and military communications – crucial domains as India seeks to shore up indigenous capabilities.
Addressing a rapt audience, Singh emphasised the imperative of self-reliance, noting the extensive response from Indian industry. Since Swavlamban’s inception in 2022, over 2,000 proposals have been submitted to the Navy under
SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX), which launched as part of the first edition. These proposals are expected to yield 171 contracts in various defence applications. Furthermore, Swavlamban’s collaboration with 213 MSMEs has resulted in the issuance of Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) worth over Rs 2,000 crore, with contracts completed amounting to Rs 784 crore.
“We need products that are indispensable to the Armed Forces. Innovators should not wait for immediate needs but anticipate future requirements,” Singh remarked, adding that the government’s concerted efforts to bolster the private sector’s role have enabled unprecedented participation. By integrating public and private sector efforts, India’s defence ecosystem is poised for a transformation that was once seen as beyond reach.
Pioneering Pathways and International Symbolism
Swavlamban 2024 was not merely an exhibition of indigenous technologies but a tangible representation of India’s evolving stance in the global defence landscape. The second day witnessed the ceremonial flag-off of the ‘Sagarmala Parikrama,’ an autonomous passage from Mumbai to Tuticorin designed to test autonomous vessel capabilities over a 1,500-kilometre journey along India’s coast. The initiative signals the Navy’s ongoing commitment to cutting-edge technological applications and highlights India’s intent to leverage innovation in safeguarding maritime borders.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 3rdiTech and Bharat Semiconductors to strengthen India’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in another strategic move. This collaboration is a testament to India’s focus on securing technology sovereignty amidst global supply chain disruptions, with semiconductors as a vital defence and communication infrastructure component.
Driving Innovation through Policy and Collaboration
Singh’s address at Swavlamban echoed India’s policy trajectory, which emphasises both national security and economic resilience. Citing the growth in digital transactions and technology as evidence of India’s innovative capacities, he reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fostering a fertile ground for ideation and growth. “The ecosystem we have today allows a shift from mere import dependency to innovation-led production, fuelled by a spirit of self-reliance,” he remarked, positioning India as a potential global leader in defence innovation.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Tripathi reiterated the Navy’s resolve to support India’s defence ambitions, praising the positive outcomes achieved in past Swavlamban editions. “The overwhelming success of previous sessions has inspired us to expand both scope and scale this year,” he stated. Indeed, Swavlamban 3.0 attracted the highest-ever participation from defence sector delegates, including the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, CAPFs, and DPSUs, as well as academia and industry thought leaders. This year’s event highlighted the defence sector’s readiness to embrace emerging technologies and a dynamic approach to stakeholder integration, with DPSUs like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited recently attaining ‘Maharatna’ status.
The Road Ahead
As Swavlamban 2024 drew to a close, its success underlined the potential of India’s defence ecosystem to be more than just a product of policy but an active proponent of self-reliance. The achievements of this edition, from the flagship launches to collaborative agreements, indicate India’s growing commitment to reducing import dependency while establishing itself as a hub for defence technology.
India’s defence sector is now accelerating toward innovation and indigenous capability-building. Events like Swavlamban, coupled with comprehensive government support and private sector participation, are setting the stage for India to emerge as a formidable, self-sufficient player in global defence—a vision championed by both government and industry, committed to protecting the nation’s interests in an evolving geopolitical landscape.
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