Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has emphasized that India’s semiconductor policy is a game-changer, calling it the "new oil for the economy" and a crucial factor in strengthening the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities. Speaking at an event on Monday, he urged the private sector to take the lead in making India self-reliant in defence production. "For India to achieve true self-reliance, private industry must drive the efforts in defence manufacturing," he stated.

Admiral Tripathi highlighted the government’s financial commitment to fostering innovation in the sector. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has allocated ₹450 crore this year to the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme, aimed at supporting startups and SMEs in developing cutting-edge defence technologies.

He further revealed that the MoD has earmarked 75% of its modernization budget—amounting to nearly ₹1 trillion—for the defence industry, with 25% of that specifically reserved for the private sector. Since its launch in 2018, iDEX has signed around 400 contracts to encourage innovation in defence.

"The semiconductor policy holds great promise, particularly for the technology-driven Navy. This initiative will benefit both civilian and defence sectors," Admiral Tripathi said. He also highlighted funding opportunities under the new policies, with grants of up to ₹1.5 crore for small projects and up to ₹25 crore under the Aditi scheme for niche technologies.

He called for closer collaboration between the Navy and industry leaders to meet future technological needs. "We are no longer just customers; we are partners. The Navy has shifted from being mere buyers to active collaborators," he said. To strengthen these efforts, task forces have been established to engage with the industry, assess available technologies, and identify areas that need improvement. Admiral Tripathi reiterated the Navy’s commitment to working alongside private industry to drive innovation and self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

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