by Rupal Kalebere
Introduction
In today’s rapidly evolving technology world, collaboration and partnerships truly leverage innovation and achieving technological advancements. More so since the civil-military fusion of technologies and use cases are seeing an osmosis where civil technologies are driving defence design and equipment induction. Recognizing the important contribution that strategic technology partnerships can bring to the table for common benefit, the United States Department of Defence (DoD) and the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) have launched the India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X). This groundbreaking initiative aims to expand the strategic technology partnership and Defence industrial cooperation between the two countries to an unprecedented and probably unparalleled level that perhaps even exceeds any such partnership that other countries enjoy with the US. Through INDUS-X, both nations seek to strengthen ties, promote innovation, and enhance accessibility and resilience within their respective Defence industrial bases.
The Catalyst Event
The launch of INDUS-X was marked by a two-day catalyst event hosted by the U.S.-India Business Council at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The event brought together Defence innovation stakeholders from both governments, academic and research organizations, investors, defence firms, technology incubators, industry associations, and other start-up enablers. The primary objective of the event was to develop ambitious initiatives that would drive the INDUS-X collaboration agenda forward.
Collaboration Agenda
To facilitate the advancement of defence innovation between the United States and India, INDUS-X stakeholders have outlined a comprehensive collaboration agenda. The agenda encompasses various initiatives and efforts aimed at fostering closer ties between industry and academia, mentorship programs, accelerator programs for Defence start-ups, public-private partnerships, and easing regulations for cross-border development and trade. The role of the user in this case the armed forces seems to be subdued.
Bilateral Cooperation Mechanisms
One of the key components of the collaboration agenda is the establishment of a Senior Advisor Group (SAG). The SAG will assess the progress of the collaboration agenda and provide recommendations to the Defence establishments and other INDUS-X stakeholders for future work. To drive the implementation of the collaboration agenda and identify barriers to implementation, organizations such as the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Carnegie India, US-India Business Council (USIBC), U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) will convene follow-on programming.
Industry and Academia-Led Initiatives
Under INDUS-X, industry and academia play crucial roles in fostering innovation and collaboration. Mentor-protégé partnerships between Indian and U.S. Defence firms will provide start-ups with valuable guidance in market access, business strategy, and technology know-how. Accelerator programs for Defence start-ups, such as the Hacking for Allies (H4x) program, led by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT H), will offer joint problem-solving opportunities, mentoring, and exposure to defence commercialization and technology advancement
Furthermore, partnerships with universities and accelerators, including Pennsylvania State University, IIT Madras, and IIT Kanpur, will facilitate the exchange of best practices in Defence innovation, fielding, and commercialization. These collaborations will not only strengthen ties between academic institutions but also provide valuable resources and support to start-ups.
Public-Private Partnerships
Public-private partnerships are instrumental in driving innovation and investment in Defence and dual-use start-ups. INDUS-X aims to foster joint (prize) challenges that leverage common dual-use cases for both the United States and India. By exploring shared challenges, start-ups from both countries can collaborate and develop innovative solutions. Additionally, INDUS-X seeks to enhance testing and certification capacity by identifying opportunities for collaborative research and development (R&D) centers and innovation labs. Access to such facilities will enable start-ups to benefit from advanced infrastructure and resources, facilitating their growth and success. The INDUS-X initiative also acknowledges the importance of private investors in supporting the growth of Defence and dual-use start-ups. Through engagements with organizations like IndiaSpora, IndUS Tech Council, Forge/Coimbatore, and T-Hub/Hyderabad, efforts will be made to garner private investor support for deep-tech Defence start-ups. Furthermore, the exploration of options for a joint Indo-U.S. innovation fund will provide additional financial resources to accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies
Regulatory Streamlining
To promote innovation and collaboration, INDUS-X recognizes the need for easing regulations for cross-border development and trade. The Senior Advisor Group will recommend adjustments to respective regulatory schemes, such as DFARS, ITAR, EAR, and Make in India, to streamline start-up innovation between the United States and India. This will not only simplify the process for start-ups but also increase procurement opportunities.
Moreover, INDUS-X aims to explore the standardization of Indo-U.S. certifications for technology start-ups. By aligning certification standards and quality assurance parameters, technologies developed by the Defence innovation ecosystems of both countries can be absorbed more rapidly and effectively.
Conclusion
The launch of INDUS-X represents a significant milestone in the India-U.S. Defence innovation partnership. Through this initiative, the two countries aim to strengthen their Defence industrial bases, promote innovation, and create a more accessible and resilient ecosystem for Defence start-ups. With a comprehensive collaboration agenda and a diverse set of stakeholders, INDUS-X is poised to drive significant advancements in Defence technology and establish a strong foundation for future cooperation. This partnership sets the stage for both countries to leverage each other’s strengths, foster innovation, and achieve mutual strategic goals.
INDUS-X marks the beginning of a new era of partnership between the US and India.