“Atmanirbhar Bharat” is not merely a slogan but a mission. Nine years of NDA rule have given unprecedented impetus to “Make in India.” We were dependent upon the import of almost everything for all three wings of our forces, with billions of dollars of foreign exchange used on small items like trucks and guns. When we consider that eighty crore people are barely surviving, this amounts to waste. All this money could have been utilised for development, infrastructure, hospitals, education, or for that matter, anything else for the betterment of the masses. PM Modi realised this, and by 2014’s end, “Make in India” was declared a mission, and after that, every plan was just to promote this mission. Manufacturing problems were parsed, middlemen siloed, and the focus was simply to rope in DRDO, HAL, and other Indian defence manufacturers to come on board to give impetus to the Make in India Mission. Our scientists and other technical teams worked overtime to make this mission happen. Projects that had been dormant for decades or had been abandoned began to see the light of day. India started dreaming of manufacturing its Light Combat Aircrafts, tanks, and helicopters-all of which had never been made indigenously in India. The perseverance and guidance from the top level have given miraculous results in the shortest possible time. We are now manufacturing ALC, have a full squadron already inducted into the IAF, and are ready to export it as well. India is planning to ingeniously manufacture high-altitude tanks, a nearly eighteen thousand crore project. The latest addition is the new plant for Light Utility Helicopters by HAL at Tumakuru. Inaugurated by the PM, this is a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant with the latest technologies incorporated, built to manufacture initially thirty single-engine helicopters per year, which will increase gradually. HAL plans to manufacture a wide range of helicopters, both light utility and multi-utility. This cutting-edge manufacturing facility spans 615 acres and includes a heli-runway, flight hangar, final assembly hangar, structure assembly hangar, air traffic control, and a variety of supporting service facilities. Everything required for a world-class manufacturing hub has been provided. This is a significant step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat, as it is expected to do business for more than four lakh crore. India has taken a big leap in helicopter design, development, and manufacture, an art only a few have in the world. This is an incredible accomplishment given that the plant was conceived and the foundation stone was laid seven years ago, and we are now ready to manufacture for ourselves and India is ready to export. A country that was spending billions of dollars importing defence equipment will be exporting it now. Indian manufacturing is the cheapest, and just like India has a clear edge in commercial satellite launches, we will be one of the major contenders for helicopter export as well. India under the present regime has been focusing on security equipment as well as infrastructure; nothing is being left to speculation. From bulletproof jackets to advanced guns, every requirement of all three wings of defence is being taken care of. Combined with a flip in border infrastructure development, India is gearing itself to be one of the best-equipped armies in the world. The combined expenditure incurred on this border infrastructure, manufacturing hubs, and research and development programs, along with the defence budget, is a huge amount not allocated in the past, an epiphany never felt earlier. India has entered the select league of countries that are not dependent on imports for their defence requirements. India is already exporting missiles, and within the next few years, we will be exporting helicopters and LCAs as well. “Make in India” is transforming the country into a leading global manufacturing and investment destination. No more ulterior motives, no kickbacks, and no illusory commitments-it’s all a reality now thanks to the vision of our PM.
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