Rajnath launches Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO). A compendium of Indian Navy’s indigenisation perspective plans titled ‘SWAVLAMBAN’ was also released.

How will NIIO boost indigenisation?

The NIIO puts in place dedicated structures for the end users to interact with academia and industry towards fostering innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence in keeping with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

The NIIO is a three-tiered organisation. 

1) Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC) will bring together the twin aspects of innovation and indigenisation and provide apex level directives. 

2) A working group under the N-TAC will implement the projects. 

3) A Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC) has also been created for induction of emerging disruptive technology in an accelerated time frame.

The Draft Defence Acquisition Policy 2020 (DAP 20) envisages Service Headquarters establishing an Innovation & Indigenisation Organisation within existing resources. Indian Navy already has a functional Directorate of Indigenisation (DoI) and the new structures created will build upon the ongoing indigenisation initiatives, as well as focus on innovation.