Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the decision of the Indian defence forces to buy a majority of the equipment made in the country shows the capacity of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India). He said after inaugurating the Defence Expo 2022 at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
India has made its place despite the monopoly of a few manufacturing companies in the defence sector globally, he said. This also symbolises the rising confidence on defence materials made in India.
Underlining the uniqueness of this edition of DefExpo, the Prime Minister said, “this is the first defence expo where only Indian companies are participating and it features only Made in India equipment”.
The defence exports from India reached about Rs 13,000 crore in 2021-22 and “we have set a target to reach Rs 40,000 crore in the coming times,” he said.
At the India Pavilion, the Prime Minister unveiled HTT-40 – the indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The aircraft has state-of-the-art contemporary systems and has been designed with pilot-friendly features.
The Prime Minister and Defence Minister at the unveiling of HTT-40 at DefExpo22 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. (Photo: PIB New Delhi)
The Prime Minister also launched Mission DefSpace to develop innovative solutions for the Armed Forces in the space domain through industry and start-ups.
At the event, Modi also laid the foundation stone for a new airbase at Deesa in Banaskantha district of north Gujarat near the India-Pakistan border and said it will emerge as an effective centre for the country’s security.
Talking about maritime security and space technology, he said that the country will have to increase its preparations in the space sector. He also mentioned about his vision of the ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR), India’s policy or doctrine of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
The world’s expectations from India have increased, and I assure the world community that India will fulfil them. Therefore, this Defence Expo is also a symbol of global trust towards India, he said.
Modi also talked about India’s relationship with Africa and said it is based on the “time-tested trust which is further deepening and touching new dimensions with the passage of time. Dwelling upon the old ties between Africa and Gujarat, he recalled that the first railway line in Africa had the participation of people from Kutch.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the DefExpo22 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. (Photo: PIB New Delhi)
Modi said the defence forces will on Wednesday release a list of 101 more items that can only be procured in India. With this, 411 defence-related goods can only be procured locally, he said.
“This will give a major boost to the Indian defence industry, he said, adding that these decisions also show the potential of a self-reliant India.
He said the exports of Indian defence products have increased eight times in the last few years.
“The world is trusting Indian technology because our armed forces have proved their capabilities. We are exporting defence materials and equipment to more than 75 countries,” the PM said.
The PM said the decision of the Indian defence forces to buy a majority of the equipment made in the country shows “the capacity of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and also symbolises the rising confidence on defence materials made in India.”
“There will be more than 400 equipment which will be bought only under Make in India (initiative). Imagine such a huge budget will strengthen the pillars of Indian companies,” Modi said.
Talking about the future opportunities in space, Modi said India will have to increase its preparations.
“Our defence forces will have to find new innovation opportunities,” he said, adding that space technology is also setting up a new definition of India’s generous thinking by sharing the benefits with other countries.
He underlined that the small countries of the world who are left behind in their security due to lack of resources will now reap great benefits from this.
India’s youth will realise the possibilities related to the space sector in a timely manner and with better quality taking inspiration from (late space scientist) Dr Vikram Sarabhai. The youth will give a new energy to our commitment, he said.
Modi also said this is an unprecedented Defence Expo as it is for the first time that only Indian companies are participating in it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the DefExpo22 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. (Photo: PIB New Delhi)
There are more than 1,300 exhibitors which include the Indian defence industry, some joint ventures associated with it, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and more than 100 Start-ups, he said.
The Prime Minister called upon all the companies present at the DefExpo and urged them to give shape to these opportunities keeping the India of the future at the centre.
“You innovate, take a pledge to be the best in the world, and give shape to the dream of a strong developed India. You will always find me there supporting you”, he concluded.
