SPRINT Scheme

About SPRINT Scheme:

• ‘SPRINT’ Scheme is an initiative to promote development of niche defence technologies by domestic companies.
• The task of development of this technology is one of the 75 challenges that have been introduced by the Indian Navy under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav last year.
• To achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO), in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy till august 2023.
• This collaborative project is named SPRINT {Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), NIIO and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC)}.
• It was launched by Prime Minister in July, 2022.
• It will transform Navy from a ‘Buyer’s Navy’ to a ‘Builder’s Navy.

 

Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO):

• Defence Ministry had launched the NIIO in August 2020, to encourage innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence sector. It is a 3-tiered organisation:
  • Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC) will bring together the twin aspects of innovation and indigenization 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.

 

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Q1) What are some of the niche Technologies?

Technological products that are designed for a particular small area of a market like IoT, iGaming & online casinos, and mobile app development, blockchain, Web design, and development are examples of niche Technologies.

Source: Indian Navy signs agreement for autonomous armed boat swa