OPINION | From iDEX to BRICS: The Journey of an Indian Defence Startup

8 hours ago

3 min read

by Ashu Mann

India's defense innovation ecosystem has changed markedly over the past decade. The government has worked to connect startups and MSMEs with military requirements, testing opportunities, and procurement pathways, with the iDEX framework playing a central role in that effort. By February 2026, 676 startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators had joined the ecosystem.

The aim is not simply to produce prototypes. It is to build a pathway from an identified military requirement to development, testing, validation, and eventual induction. For specialized technologies such as underwater robotics, that pathway matters even more because conditions at sea demand extensive testing before a system can be trusted on operational missions.

A Case in Point: EyeROV

Kochi-based marine robotics company EyeROV shows how such a journey can unfold. It developed its TROUT underwater remotely operated vehicle through the Defence India Startup Challenge under iDEX, working with the Indian Navy. According to the company brief, successful trials were followed by a ₹47 crore Indian Navy order for TROUT systems.

That progression, from innovation to military validation, is the significant part. Building an underwater ROV requires expertise in robotics, underwater navigation, imaging, communications, mechanical engineering, and sensor integration. The system must also work reliably in environments where conventional positioning and visual observation are difficult.

TROUT is designed for these conditions. It carries 4K and Full HD cameras, imaging sonar, DVL/USBL underwater positioning, and a robotic arm. Its control system combines camera, sonar, and positioning data and supports auto-depth, auto-heading, and station keeping.

The case also demonstrates why user participation matters in defense innovation. Military requirements can shape engineering from an early stage, while trials test whether a technology can perform under operational conditions. For startups, this means developing products around real defense needs rather than creating technology in isolation.

A Model Taking Root

The wider iDEX record suggests that this model is becoming an established part of India's defense-industrial strategy. In 2026, the Ministry of Defence reported that iDEX had signed hundreds of contracts and that prototypes were progressing toward procurement. The government describes the initiative as a mechanism for startups and innovators to develop technologies that address the requirements of the armed forces.

From Defense to the World

For EyeROV, the journey has extended beyond a single military application. Its marine robotics portfolio supports underwater inspection, defense, marine research, offshore energy, and search and recovery. The company reports that its systems are deployed across defense, hydropower, oil and gas, and maritime sectors in more than seven countries. This dual-use character matters as India seeks to internationalize its defense and deep-tech capabilities.

The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi offered a new platform. The Bharat Innovates Exposition, held alongside the summit, brought together 37 Indian deep-tech startups and ventures, with stated objectives that included B2B engagement, technology partnerships, investment discussions, and access to BRICS markets.

The move from iDEX to BRICS is therefore more than a change of venue. It shows how a technology developed for an Indian defense requirement can enter an international conversation about innovation, maritime technology, and industrial cooperation.

That is especially relevant for underwater robotics. BRICS countries include major maritime economies with extensive ports, offshore infrastructure, waterways, and marine research needs. Technologies for underwater inspection, surveillance, search and recovery, and scientific observation serve both defense and civilian users.

Domestic capability in this field also supports the goal of reducing dependence on imported specialized equipment. EyeROV describes its ROVs and unmanned surface systems as indigenously designed and developed in India. Its presence at the BRICS platform offers an opportunity to connect an Indian technology-development story with potential international partners and markets.

Conclusion

The journey from iDEX to BRICS points to a maturing model in India's defense innovation ecosystem. A startup can begin by solving a specific operational requirement, develop technology alongside an Indian military user, pass trials, secure procurement, and then carry that capability into wider industrial and international markets.

For India's emerging defense-tech ecosystem, that progression is the real measure of success: indigenous innovation that leaves the laboratory and becomes a deployable capability, at home and abroad.

About the Author

Ashu Mann is an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. He was awarded the Vice Chief of the Army Staff Commendation card on Army Day 2025. He is pursuing a PhD from Amity University, Noida, in Defence and Strategic Studies. His research focuses include the India-China territorial dispute, great power rivalry, and Chinese foreign policy.

Disclaimer: This article represents the author’s independent analysis and perspective based on publicly available information. It does not constitute official guidance, intelligence assessment, or policy recommendation, and does not reflect the positions of Access Hub or any affiliated entities.