INDUS-X (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The defence ministry said the 'INDUS-X' summit in Delhi marks a "significant milestone" in the collaborative efforts between the two countries.

U.S.-India Defense Accelerator Ecosystem (INDUS-X)

• Launch: INDUS X was launched in June 2023 during the state visit of the Prime Minister of India to the US.
• Objective: To expand strategic technology partnerships and defense industrial cooperation between governments, businesses, and academic institutions in India and the US.
• Components: INDUS X serves as a defense innovation bridge, encompassing Joint Challenges, Joint Innovation Fund, Academia engagement, Industry-startup connect, investment by private entities in defense projects, mentoring by experts, and niche technology projects.
• Focus: Advancing high-tech cooperation and fostering joint research, development, and production opportunities in the defense sector.
• Aim: To explore possibilities for co-producing jet engines, long-range artillery, and infantry vehicles.
• Leadership: India’s Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), US, are leading INDUS-X activities.

iDEX Initiative

• About: The Government announced a central sector scheme named as Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) for 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• Launched Under: Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) under the Ministry of Defence
• Objective: To foster innovation and technology development and to provide financial support to nearly 300 Start-ups/MSMEs/individual innovators and about 20 Partner Incubators through Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).