Correct Answer : France
22nd April 2024- Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and Starburst, France, celebrated a significant milestone in the advancement of aerospace, defence, and homeland security innovation through a momentous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony. Hosted at the RRU campus in Lavad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, the event brought together esteemed dignitaries, industry leaders, and stakeholders to witness the formalization of a transformative collaboration.
The MoU signing ceremony marked the commencement of a dynamic partnership between RRU, Starburst, France, and Security and Scientific Technical Research Association (SASTRA), a Section 8, Not-for-profit Company under the Companies Act 2013, established by Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU). This strategic alliance is aimed at fostering innovation and driving advancements in the Aerospace, Defence and Homeland Security sectors.
SASTRA's integral role in this collaboration amplifies the focus on innovation, incubation, and technology acceleration in the realm of national security and policing, further enhancing the collaborative efforts towards achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat and ensuring the nation's security and sovereignty.
RRU and Starburst share a vision of helping to ignite the emergence of a vibrant Security & Defence ecosystem in India, facilitating enterprise creation and nurturing the rapid growth of innovative start-ups spinning out of the region. The partnership between Starburst and RRU is a reflection of the progress in the India-France Strategic Partnership in defence and space. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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.
Mr. 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.”.
Source : PIB
