‘Defence sector should be opened for tech startups’

Kolkata: The defence sector should be opened for tech startups so that more young minds can use their talents for innovation, said former defence secretary Ajay Kumar while speaking at the Bharat Chamber of Commerce (BCC) on “Defence Innovation Ecosystem and Opportunities”. “Thus with little cost, more research and innovation can be done. Now, the war is less on land, but more on air and under water. So, use of space is becoming more important, for which innovation is a must,” Kumar said, adding that innovative technology is being used for underwater warfare. The former bureaucrat added that instead of depending entirely on DRDO, startups are getting a chance to innovate according to the new needs and challenges. He said, “We have used innovators in the national quantum mission and it is used by the Indian Army and Navy.” NG Khaitan, president, BCC, said that they would also seek collaboration with foreign countries such as France as stated by Kumar, and felt that missile technology can be a good prospect for overseas buyers.
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