• India launches ₹1-lakh-crore RDI Scheme to support defence innovation.
• The scheme targets strategic and sunrise domains, including energy security and artificial intelligence.
• ideaForge's Project YETI receives in-principle debt financing of up to ₹151 crore.
• The scheme aims to address the missing middle in defence innovation, where prototypes often fail to reach production.

The RDI Scheme may indicate India's growing focus on indigenous defence innovation, which could lead to increased self-reliance and reduced dependence on foreign suppliers. However, the scheme's success may depend on the government's ability to provide a clear line of sight to procurement, which could help bridge the gap between prototype and production.