Executive Summary:
On August 30, 2025, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated a state-of-the-art test facility of Raphe mPhibr, an iDEX winner startup, in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The event highlighted Operation Sindoor as a testament to the valour of the Armed Forces, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and youth innovation, showcasing indigenously developed equipment and technological capabilities. The initiative underscores the importance of drones in modern warfare and the role of schemes like iDEX in promoting self-reliance in the defence sector.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Operation Sindoor:**
* Recognized as a demonstration of the Armed Forces' valour, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and the innovation of scientists and youth.
* Armed Forces swiftly adopted indigenously developed equipment by young innovators and Indian industries.
* Within 22 minutes, the Armed Forces gave a befitting response to terrorists and their handlers.
* **Technological Advancement:**
* Three products developed jointly by Raphe mPhibr and DRDO were successfully deployed during Operation Sindoor within 14 months.
* India is designing, developing, and manufacturing drones indigenously, recognizing their importance in modern defence.
* Drones are being deployed in areas inaccessible to large equipment and are extensively used in modern warfare.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* iDEX scheme promotes innovation and self-reliance in the defence sector, providing opportunities to the youth.
* Technology Development Fund, National Research Foundation, and support to DRDO and other research organizations are significant.
* Schemes like iDEX and ADITI aim to elevate India's global profile in defence and innovation.
* **Noida as a Hub:**
* Noida is emerging as a top hub for defence innovation, encompassing startups, manufacturing enterprises, and high-tech solutions.
* **Facility Infrastructure:**
* The facility includes an engine test bed, a metal additive manufacturing facility, furnaces, an advanced composite polymer manufacturing center, and various drone systems.
* These systems are intended to enhance India's defence readiness.
Impact Analysis:
* **Armed Forces:**
* *Impact:* Benefits from advanced, indigenously developed equipment and drone technology, enhancing operational capabilities and effectiveness in modern warfare scenarios.
* *Action Required:* Continue to integrate and adopt new technologies and equipment developed through initiatives like iDEX to maintain a cutting-edge defence posture.
* **Indian Defence Industry (including Raphe mPhibr):**
* *Impact:* Receives support and opportunities for innovation and development, contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and establishing India as a global leader in defence technology.
* *Action Required:* Leverage government schemes like iDEX and ADITI to develop and deploy advanced defence solutions, focusing on drone technology and other critical areas.
* **Youth and Scientists:**
* *Impact:* Given opportunities to contribute to the defence sector through innovation, research, and development, enhancing their skills and contributing to national security.
* *Action Required:* Engage with initiatives like iDEX and ADITI to develop innovative solutions for the defence sector, focusing on areas such as drone technology, advanced materials, and high-tech manufacturing.
* **DRDO and Other Research Organizations:**
* *Impact:* Provided with resources and support to collaborate with startups and develop advanced defence technologies, strengthening India's indigenous defence capabilities.
* *Action Required:* Continue to support and collaborate with startups and industries to develop and deploy advanced defence solutions, focusing on drones and other areas.
Key Entities Referenced
Operation Sindoor: A military operation conducted by India's Armed Forces.
Rajnath Singh: Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) of India.
Raphe mPhibr: An iDEX winner startup in the defence sector.
Noida, Uttar Pradesh: City in Uttar Pradesh where the test facility was inaugurated.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Government of India's initiative for self-reliance.
Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO: An agency under Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence of the Government of India.
iDEX: Innovation for Defence Excellence, a scheme to promote innovation and self-reliance in the defence sector.
Yogi Adityanath: Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Ministry of Defence
Operation Sindoor is not just a story of our Armed
Forces' valour, but also of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and
youth innovation: Raksha Mantri
Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates a state-of-the-art test
facility of Raphe mPhibr, an iDEX winner, in Uttar
Pradesh
Posted On: 30 AUG 2025 9:34PM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated a state-of-the-art test facility of Raphe mPhibr, an iDEX
winner start-up, on August 30, 2025 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the gathering, he said that Operation
Sindoor is not only a story of the valour of India’s Armed Forces, but also of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the
innovation of the nation’s scientists and youth. He expressed pride that the Armed Forces have swiftly
adopted equipment developed indigenously by young innovators and Indian industries.
Raksha Mantri expressed his pleasant surprise and pride that three products developed jointly by Raphe
mPhibr and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) within just 14 months were
successfully deployed during Operation Sindoor. He stated that this stands as clear evidence that India is no
longer behind any nation in terms of technological capability.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Raksha Mantri said that within just 22 minutes, the Armed Forces gave a
befitting response to the terrorists and their handlers in a manner they could never have imagined. He added
that the operation once again underscored the fact that when resolve, courage and science come together, the
impossible can indeed be made possible.
Shri Rajnath Singh stated that today India is designing, developing and manufacturing drones indigenously.
"The reality of modern defence today rests on aircraft technology and drones," he said while stating that India
too is moving rapidly in this direction.
Highlighting the growing role of drones, Raksha Mantri said that they are now being deployed in areas where
large equipment cannot reach. Citing the ongoing Russia - Ukraine conflict, he said that drones are being used
extensively in modern warfare. "In today’s era, it is essential to understand the importance of drones and to
effectively incorporate them into war tactics," he added.
"iDEX scheme is a very significant initiative to promote innovation and self-reliance in the defence sector.
The Government’s initiatives are providing opportunities to the youth who have the potential to make India a
leader on the global stage in the fields of defence and innovation," he said.
Highlighting the significance of Technology Development Fund, establishment of the National Research
Foundation, and providing new resources and support to DRDO and other research organisations, Raksha
Mantri said that schemes like iDEX and ADITI have been launched with the vision that the startups being
given opportunities today will, in the next 15 to 20 years, achieve milestones that will raise India’s global
profile to new heights.
Raksha Mantri concluded his address by acknowledging that Noida is emerging as a top hub for defence
innovation, whether through startups, manufacturing enterprises, or high-tech solutions. “Across all spheres of
innovation, Noida is playing a leading role,” he said.During his facility visit, Raksha Mantri toured crucial advanced testing and manufacturing
infrastructure: from an engine test bed and a metal additive manufacturing facility to furnaces
capable of reaching 2,800°C, an advanced composite polymer manufacturing center, as well as a
range of drones - payload-drop drones, swarm drones and precision-guided missile drones. These
state-of-the-art, highly reliable systems are poised to significantly enhance India's defence
readiness.
The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath, Chief of
Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Secretary (Defence
Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar
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VK/Savvy/SS
(Release ID: 2162373)