- Rashtriya Raksha University inks MoU with Starburst to propel India’s security and defence sector growth with €100 million funding support
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, APRIL 22
Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and Starburst, France, on Monday entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance aerospace, defence, and homeland security innovation. The MoU includes the creation of a venture capital fund of 100 million euros for aerospace, defence and security technology and provides export promotion support for Indian start-ups to explore international markets, the RRU said in a release.
We're thrilled to unveil a groundbreaking collaboration that promises to revolutionize India's aerospace, defence, and homeland security landscape. Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) has joined forces with Starburst, France, pic.twitter.com/zcwyLksMuT
— Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) (@RakshaUni) April 22, 2024
The partnership between Starburst and RRU is a reflection of the progress in the India-France Strategic Partnership in defence and space, it said.
The strategic alliance between RRU, Starburst, and Security and Scientific Technical Research Association (SASTRA), a not-for-profit company set up by RRU, is aimed at fostering innovation and driving advancements in the aerospace, defence and homeland security sectors, the RRU said.. This MoU also includes the creation of a Venture Capital fund of €100 million for Aerospace, Defence and Security technology and provide export promotion support for Indian start-ups to explore international markets.
Key dignitaries present at the event included Professor (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel, Vice-Chancellor, RRU and François Chopard, CEO of Starburst, France. They were joined by Professor (Dr.) Kalpesh Wandra, Pro Vice-Chancellor of RRU, Col Nidhish Bhatnagar, Managing Director of SASTRA, and Koumar Vijaya, Executive Vice President of Starburst, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel, Vice-Chancellor, RRU, expressed profound optimism regarding the partnership’s transformative potential in catalysing innovation and bolstering self-reliance across the defence, homeland security, and related technological domains. Prof. Patel underscored RRU’s steadfast commitment to nurturing a culture of statecraft and strategic acumen, specifically tailored to effectively confront and mitigate the multifaceted security challenges faced by the nation.
With a particular emphasis on homeland security and the defence sector, Prof. Patel articulated that “this MoU will help RRU to contribute to realise the mandate of Centre of Excellence for National Security and Defence Management and Global Leader in the field of Internal Security, Correctional Administration and Policing as well as CoE in SMART Policing and Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Cyber Security.” He highlighted the imperative of fostering indigenous innovation and expertise to ensure self-sufficiency in critical areas of defence technology, intelligence gathering, and counterterrorism strategies.
Francois Chopard, CEO of Starburst, France, accentuated the significance of the collaboration in fostering a vibrant ecosystem for technological innovation and entrepreneurial growth in the ASD and Homeland Security sectors. He highlighted Starburst’s commitment to supporting startups and driving advancements in defence and security technologies globally. “Partnering with Rashtriya Raksha University is a strategic move for us in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship within the security and defence sector in India,” remarked Francois Chopard representing Starburst.
Col Nidhish Bhatnagar, Managing Director, SASTRA remarked “the strategic partnership between Rashtriya Raksha University, SASTRA, and Starburst is aimed at propelling innovation and spearheading advancements in the Aerospace, Defence, and Homeland Security sectors. This collaboration signifies a pivotal step towards bolstering India’s technological prowess and ensuring the nation’s security and sovereignty. In addition to fostering innovation and driving advancements in these critical sectors, the partnership aims to achieve several significant objectives. By leveraging the expertise and resources of all organizations, we seek to accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies, facilitating the rapid advancement of innovative solutions to address evolving security challenges. Together, we endeavour to create a vibrant ecosystem for technological innovation and entrepreneurial growth, stimulating economic growth, job creation, and technological leadership in these strategic sectors. Through collaborative research, training programs, and knowledge exchange initiatives, we aim to enhance the capabilities and skill sets of professionals working in Aerospace, Defence, and Homeland Security, contributing towards India’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in critical sectors such as defence and security.”
“This landmark partnership signifies a significant stride towards innovation and advancement in crucial sectors like Aerospace, Space, Defence (ASD), and Homeland Security. Our focus on pioneering technologies such as Brain Machine Interface (BMI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum computing, Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) underscores our commitment to reshaping the landscape of national security and strategic defence. Through rigorous research, development, and technology acceleration, we are poised to leverage these transformative technologies to fortify India’s self-reliance and global leadership in safeguarding our nation’s interests. I am confident that this collaboration will catalyse ground-breaking innovations, propelling us towards a more secure and prosperous future” remarked Maj Gen ND Prasad (Retd.) AVSM, VSM, Director, School of Internal Security, Defence & Strategic Studies, RRU.
Speaking on the occasion, Maj Gen Deepak Mehra, Kirti Chakra, AVSM, VSM (Retd.) Director, School of Internal Security and SMART Policing (SISSP), RRU stated that “this is a golden opportunity to partake in the unique phenomenon of utilising AI-based technologies in a security enmeshed architecture by leveraging entrepreneurial power of start-ups to connect with government initiatives and innovate to find better prevention & protection-based solutions across the Security domains. As Bharat marches towards the goal of a developed Nation, this will assist in fortifying our Nation with the cutting edge technologies by revolutionising the dynamic ecosystem of National Security.”
