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Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme
Context:
DRDO has sanctioned seven projects under the Technology Development Fund for MSMEs and start-ups, boosting Aatmanirbharta and strengthening the military-industrial ecosystem through indigenous technology development.
The projects include:
- Indigenous Scenario and Sensor Simulation Toolkit: For pilot simulator training and mission planning.
- Underwater Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: For Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).
- Long-range Remotely Operated Vehicles: For underwater object detection and neutralisation.
- Ice Detection Sensor for Aircraft: To detect icing conditions in-flight and activate anti-icing mechanisms.
- Radar Signal Processor with Active Antenna Array Simulator: For testing and evaluating short-range aerial weapon systems.
- Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-based Timing Acquisition & Dissemination System: For indigenising timing systems using Indian Constellation.
- Graphene-Based Smart & E-textiles: For developing advanced E-textiles with multifunctional wearable applications.
Technology Development Fund (TDF):
Purpose:
- Promote self-reliance in Defence Technology under ‘Make in India.’
- Executed by DRDO to meet Tri-Services, Defence Production, and DRDO needs.
Objective:
- Boost defence manufacturing by encouraging industry innovation.
- Provide grants and benefits for indigenous technology development.
Vision:
- Build an ecosystem enhancing cutting-edge technology for defence manufacturing.
Mission:
- Promote self-reliance through indigenous state-of-the-art defence systems.
- Development period capped at four years.
Focus Areas:
- Upgrade and improve existing products or processes.
- Advance technology readiness from TRL 3 to product realisation for Tri-Services.
- Develop futuristic technologies or innovative products for defence.
- Substitute imported components with Indian technology.
- Limit scheme to technologies or prototypes with national defence potent
