‘Swavlamban 2.0’

Context

The Indian Navy is going to unveil ‘Swavlamban 2.0’, the 2nd Edition of the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation (NIIO) Seminar – ‘Swavlamban 2023’ which is scheduled to be conducted in October.

Background:

The Prime Minister has launched ‘SPRINT Challenges’ during Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar ‘Swavlamban’ in July 2022.
'SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO and TDAC) Challenges' is aimed at giving a boost to the usage of indigenous technology in Indian Navy.

SPRINT is a collaborative initiative being undertaken in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and stands for Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), NIIO and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC).

This initiative has received an overwhelming response with 1106 proposals.

About ‘Swavlamban 2.0’:

The Navy has surpassed its target set last year to develop 75 futuristic technologies in partnership with domestic Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and startups which are going to be launched as ‘Swavlamban 2.0’.
Technologies included: Technologies are being progressed across the spectrum, including
Blue-green lasers for underwater applications;
Autonomous weaponised swarms and underwater swarm drones;
Multiple firefighting aids; introduction of Artificial Intelligence (Al) for various uses and the development of an ultra-endurance small drone for maritime missions.

Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation:

Launch: Launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Defence to fulfil its requirements relating to technology.
Objective: To foster innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence in keeping with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- It will put in place dedicated structures for the end-users to interact with academia and industry.
Structure: The NIIO is a three-tiered organization:
- Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC) will bring together the twin aspects of innovation and indigenisation and provide apex level directives.
- Working group under the N-TAC will implement the projects.
- Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC) has been created for induction of emerging disruptive technology in an accelerated time frame.