New Delhi, Mar 11 : In line with the announcements made in the on Budget 2022-23, Defence Ministry on Friday identified 18 major platforms including Long Range Drones for industry led Design and Development under various routes. The on Budget 2022-23 allocated 25 per cent of Defence R&D Budget for industry led R&D, the Defence Ministry said. According to the Ministry, the indigenous development of these projects will help harness the design capabilities of domestic defence industry and position India as a design leader in these technologies. For Projects under Make-I category, the Defence Ministry provides financial support up to 70 per cent of total cost of prototype development. Under the said Make-I category, the Ministry identified- Hypersonic Glide Vehicle, Directed Energy Weapons (300 KW and more), High Powered Electromagnetic Devices and High Powered Laser Devices, Naval Ship Borne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS), Light Weight Tank, Self-Healing Mine Fields, Unmanned Autonomous AI Based Land Robot, 127 mm Naval Gun, 127 mm Guided Projectile, Electric Propulsion (Engines) for Ships, Standoff Airborne Jammer, Comm cation System (AFNET System Switches etc. Under SPV model, private industry will be encouraged to take up design and development of military platforms and equipment in collaboration with the DRDO and other organisations. Two platforms- Long Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) have been identified under this category. Low Orbit Pseudo Satellites have been chosen under the iDEX category under which projects of Start-ups, MSMEs etc. involving high-end innovation would be pursued. ASU SHK2043
