Indian Navy’s NIIO Enhance Indigenisation To Self-Reliance And Naval Defense

The Indian Navy has been making sure that India’s maritime borders are safe and helping the country become self-sufficient in defence production. The Indian Navy set up the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) in March 2019. This was in response to the Indian government’s “Atmanirbhar Bhart” campaign. NIIO is in charge of finding and supporting innovative ideas and technologies from both the public and private sectors. Its job is to promote self-reliance and indigenization in the defence sector.

Notably, the Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC) is NIIO’s innovation arm. It works with Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) to do research and development (R&D) for the Indian Navy that focuses on disruptive and niche technologies. SPRINT is an agreement between the Indian government and NIIO, TDAC, and iDEX. It stands for “Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO, and TDAC.”

Tracking NIIO’s progress

The Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) has done a good job of promoting new ideas and making the navy more Indian. Here are some examples of what NIIO has been able to do:

Development of Indigenous Torpedo Decoy System: Together with private industry, the Indian Navy’s Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) has made a torpedo decoy system that can protect navy ships from enemy torpedoes. By making this system, the Indian Navy is less reliant on foreign suppliers and more able to do things on its own.

Development of Indigenous Sonar Dome: The Indian Navy’s NIIO has worked with private companies to make an Indian sonar dome, which is a key part of the sonar system on a warship. This change has cut down on the cost of getting the sonar dome and made it more accessible.

Development of Unmanned Surface Vehicle for Surveillance: The Indian Navy’s NIIO has made a surveillance vehicle called an unmanned surface vehicle (USV). The USV has high-tech sensors and communication systems that make it a good place to keep an eye on the sea. This change has made it easier for the Indian Navy to know what is going on in the maritime domain.

Innovation Challenges and Hackathons: The NIIO of the Indian Navy has been holding innovation challenges and hackathons to encourage naval personnel to come up with new ideas. Some of the most interesting things that have come out of these projects are the development of an autonomous underwater vehicle and a maritime situational awareness system, both of which were made by people in the area.

Indigenisation of Spare Parts: The NIIO of the Indian Navy has been working to make spare parts and components for naval equipment in India. This change has cut down on the cost of buying things and made spare parts easier to find, which has cut down on the time that naval equipment is down.

How does NIIO operate?

NIIO works in a way that is both collaborative and integrated. The group holds innovation challenges and hackathons to encourage naval personnel to come up with new ideas. These challenges give sailors and marines a chance to show off their ideas and innovations and work on improving them. NIIO also works with different groups, such as the private sector, universities, and research institutions, to promote innovation and the use of local resources.

NIIO signs MoUs with different groups to work together on projects related to innovation and making things that are made in India. NIIO is also in charge of giving money and help to different innovation and “indigenization” projects. It finds projects with potential and gives them money and support to help them get closer to being sold to the public.