BENGALURU, Feb 13: India rejuvenated its defence production in the last eight-nine years and will now move fast to join the world’s largest defence manufacturing nations riding on favorable economic policies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.
After inaugurating Asia’s largest air show ‘Aero India 2023’ at the Yelahanka Air Force station complex on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Modi said the event, which was earlier considered just a window to “sell to India”, is showcasing the nation’s strength as a potential defence partner and noted that India is now exporting defence equipment to 75 countries.
Listing various reforms and achievements in the sector, Modi sought to project India as an attractive investment destination to produce military hardware and said it is looking at increasing defence exports from USD 1.5 billion to USD five billion by 2024-25.
Two F-35A supersonic multirole aircraft of the US Air Force were among the major attractions at the event.
In the presence of top executives of several Indian and leading foreign defence majors, the prime minister said made-in-India platforms like Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and INS Vikrant are shining examples of India’s true potential in the defence manufacturing sector.
Modi said that Bengaluru’s sky is “bearing testimony to the capabilities of New India”. “This new height is the reality of New India, today India is touching new heights and transcending them too,” he said.
Highlighting the Indian Air Force’s commitment to self-reliance in defence, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari flew the indigenously-built Tejas light combat aircraft during an air show.
The aircraft was one of the 10 Tejas that participated in the flypast witnessed by the prime minister
Army chief General Manoj Pande flew in a Light Combat Helicopter.
“The New India of the 21st century will neither miss any opportunity nor will it lack any effort. We are geared up. We are bringing a revolution in every sector on the path of reforms. The country, which was the biggest defence importer for decades, is now exporting defence equipment to 75 countries of the world,” he said.
The prime minister said the country’s defence exports have increased six times in the last five years and India exported more than 1.5 billion dollars worth of defence equipment in 2021-22.
“You are also aware that defence is an area where technology, market and business are considered very complicated.
“Despite this, India has transformed its defence sector within the last 8-9 years. However, we consider this to be just the beginning. We are aiming to increase this export figure from 1.5 billion to 5 billion dollars by 2024-25,” he said.
Modi said the efforts made during the period will act as a launch pad for India.
“India will now move fast to join the world’s largest defence manufacturing countries. Both our private sector and investors are going to play an important role in this regard. Today I would call upon the private sector of India to invest in the country’s defence sector as much as possible,” he said.
“Your every investment in the defence sector in India will create new avenues for your business in many countries of the world apart from India.
“There are new possibilities and opportunities ahead of you. The private sector of India should not let go of this opportunity,” he added.
Over 700 Indian and foreign defence companies besides delegates from around 100 countries which included several defence ministers as well are participating in the five-day exhibition, considered the largest aerospace exhibition in Asia. Modi also described the ‘Aero India’ as an example of India’s growing potential. (PTI)
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