The recent flagging-off of the Sagarmala Parikrama by Defence Minister marks a significant milestone in India’s naval innovation, with a 1,500-km autonomous voyage from Mumbai to Tuticorin.

More on the Sagarmala Parikrama

• Autonomous Vessel Voyage: The voyage features a cutting-edge autonomous surface vessel, built by Sagar Defence Engineering, aimed at demonstrating India’s capabilities in maritime autonomous technology.

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• Strategic Implications: The journey signifies a major technological advancement as the Indian Navy plans to incorporate more autonomous surface and underwater vesselsenhancing maritime security and operational reach.
• It was unveiled at Swavlamban 2024.

Swavlamban 2024 and Related Initiatives

• Swavlamban Event: This annual event of the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) promotes self-reliance in defense by showcasing indigenous technology.
• ADITI 3.0 and DISC 13: Defense Minister also unveiled these initiatives, which are part of efforts to push innovation in indigenous defense technology.
  • ADITI 3.0 includes a challenge to develop a high-power microwave weapon system.
  • DISC 13 features challenges across domains like AI, military communication, and autonomous systems, with participation from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat Goals: Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi emphasized the Navy’s goal to achieve complete self-reliance by 2047.
• Defense Innovation Success: The Navy has reportedly translated over 2,000 proposals into solutions, resulting in 171 contracts worth ₹700 crore and initiatives worth over ₹2,000 crore.

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SPRINT and iDEX Collaboration

• SPRINT: Over 2,000 proposals were received under this scheme were converted into 155 actionable challenges under the Scheme .
• iDEX Partnerships: Collaborations with 213 MSMEs and start-ups have led to projects worth ₹784 crore, aiming to establish India as a leader in innovative defense solutions.

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