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.”

The MoU aims to establish a dynamic framework for collaboration between RRU, SASTRA, and Starburst in the Aerospace, Space, Defence (ASD) and Homeland Security sectors. Through this partnership, the organizations seek to foster innovation by leveraging their collective expertise, resources, and networks. Key goals include creating an environment conducive to the growth of startups and entrepreneurs, promoting indigenous innovation, and reducing dependency on foreign technologies in defence manufacturing, research, and development.

“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.”

The event epitomizes a shared commitment towards driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and advancing self-reliance in critical sectors. Aligned with RRU's vision to emerge as a premier centre of knowledge for stakeholders seeking a peaceful, prosperous, and stable world order, and bolstered by the university's mission to cultivate a national strategic and security culture, the MoU represents a significant stride towards realizing these aspirations. By synergizing efforts to nurture innovation, build strategic partnerships, and enhance educational and research capabilities, the collaboration between RRU, SASTRA and Starburst, France, underscores a collective endeavour to strengthen India's national security and strategic interests.

The MoU symbolizes the dedication to ignite innovation, nurture collaboration, and bolster self-reliance across the Aerospace, Homeland Security, and Defence sectors. With a resolute focus on advancing India's national security and strategic imperatives, this partnership embodies a bold stride towards a future fortified by indigenous excellence and global leadership.

About Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU):

Rashtriya Raksha University is a specialized university in the field of security studies, established by the Government of Gujarat, India. It aims to provide quality education and training in the areas of national security, defence, policing, and allied fields. The university offers various undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs related to security and defence studies. The signing of a MoU with Starburst France in the areas of aerospace, defence, and homeland security will foster new innovations and incubations in defence and homeland security in the near future. This collaboration signifies a strategic partnership between RRU and Starburst France to foster innovation and technological advancements in these critical sectors.

About Starburst:

Founded in 2012, Starburst Aerospace is an innovation catalyst in the global Aerospace and Defence (A&D) industry. Combining three complementary activities–start-up accelerators, strategy consulting, and ventures–they help stakeholders innovate, navigate and invest in the dynamic ecosystem. With offices in Los Angeles, Paris, Munich, Singapore, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Madrid, and Washington D.C., the team has built a robust community with 60+ partners and a portfolio of 140+ start-ups. Starburst’s leading Flagship Accelerator program helps start-ups scale their business in aviation, space, and defence with access to one of the largest groups of corporate representatives, government stakeholders, and private venture investors in the world to help start-ups win their first contracts. More information about Starburst can be found at www.starburst.aero.

About ASTRA:

The Security and Scientific Technical Research Association (SASTRA) is a significant initiative established by Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in India. SASTRA aims to facilitate collaboration between academia, industry, innovators, and the government to drive innovation, incubation, and technology acceleration in the national security domain. It serves as India’s first national security innovation center with a focus on engaging youth and promoting self-reliance in the security sector.

AP/GP/JD

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