New Delhi: Indian defence-tech startup Big Bang Boom Solutions (BBBS) has signed a landmark contract with the Indian Navy to develop a multi-spectral camouflage cloak, under the Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC-13), a flagship initiative of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program. The agreement was officially signed on June 28, 2025, marking a major milestone in India’s drive toward indigenous defence innovation.
According to an official company statement, the contract involves the development of a roll-on, roll-off cloaking system designed to reduce the radar and thermal signatures of parked aircraft and other ground assets. This cutting-edge solution leverages nanotechnology and metamaterials to provide stealth capabilities, making it harder for enemy systems to detect frontline air assets. Importantly, the cloak is designed for rapid deployment without disrupting ongoing operations.
Indigenous Innovation Meets Global Collaboration
In parallel with this defence initiative, BBBS also announced a USD 5 million joint R&D and commercialisation project funded under the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F). This project aims to develop rugged autonomous drones capable of operating in GPS-denied industrial environments, reinforcing the startup’s dual-focus on military survivability and industrial resilience.
“This is possible only because of the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh,” said R. Shivaraman, Co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of BBBS. “Extraordinary initiatives like iDEX allow innovators and startups to reach for the stars, contributing small drops into the ocean of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance).”
He further emphasized the company’s mission: “From protecting frontline assets to building drones that navigate where humans and conventional UAVs cannot, our focus is survivability and practicality.”
Growing Defence Credentials and Legacy of Innovation
BBBS has a strong track record within the iDEX ecosystem. It began its journey with wins in iDEX Challenge 1 and 2 in 2019, successfully completing:
- “See Thru Armor”
- “Countermeasures Against Illegal Drones”
These projects culminated in large-scale procurement contracts from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force in 2022.
The company further delivered on its SPRINT project with the Indian Navy, developing an Indigenous Morpene Compound in a record six months. This led to additional contract awards from the Navy.
In subsequent iDEX challenges, BBBS also won:
- iDEX 5: Non-Lethal Vessel Immobiliser
- iDEX 7: Thermal Imaging Drone
Both of which are expected to reach completion later this year.
Leadership Speaks: A Vision for Deep-Tech India
Praveen Dwarakanath, CEO and Co-founder of BBBS, lauded the support from iDEX and the Ministry of Defence:
“What makes these milestones important is not just the technology, but the direction they represent — indigenous development at home, collaboration abroad, and scalable solutions. That is the path forward for Indian deep-tech.”
About iDEX and DISC
The Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) is a program launched by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM). It aims to empower Indian startups, MSMEs, and innovators to build prototypes and commercial solutions that address critical national security and defence challenges.
About Big Bang Boom Solutions
Big Bang Boom Solutions Pvt Ltd is a Chennai-based defence-tech startup focusing on high-impact, dual-use technologies in the fields of surveillance, survivability, and autonomous systems. Its solutions are developed with an emphasis on ruggedness, affordability, and scalability, making them suitable for both defence operations and industrial applications.
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