India is on the path of becoming a major defence equipment manufacturer and has made a place for itself despite the monopoly of a few companies globally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday.
He also said the decision of the Indian armed forces to opt for procuring a majority of the equipment made in the country shows the capacity of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India).
“The country has come a long way as earlier we used to release pigeons and now we release cheetahs,” Modi said.
Making these observations after inaugurating the International Defence Exhibition “DefExpo-2022” in Gandhinagar, the Prime Minister said it also indicated the rising confidence on the defence equipment made within the country.
Underlining the growing capabilities of the local industry, Modi said defence exports from India reached `13,000 crore in 2021-22 and “we have set a target to reach `40,000 crore in the coming times.”
He said the exports of Indian defence products have increased eight times in the last few years.
Modi said the defence forces will 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.
“The world is relying India’s technology because our armed forces have proved their capabilities. We are exporting defence materials and equipment to more than 75 countries,” the Prime Minister said.
Giving examples, he said the Indian Navy has inducted indigenously built state-of-the-art aircraft carriers like the INS-Vikrant into its fleet.
The induction of the “Prachand” Light Combat Helicopters developed under the “Make in India” initiative by IAF is a clear example of India’s defence capability, he said.
Elaborating upon the importance of maritime security and space technology, the Prime Minister said maritime security has emerged as a global priority. India will also have to increase its preparations looking at the future opportunities in the space sector, he said.
Modi talked about his vision of the “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR). India’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region is inclusive, he said.
As regards space technology, the Prime Minister said the armed forces have reviewed and identified various challenges in this area.
“We have to work fast to solve them,” he said.
“Mission Defence Space”, he continued, will not only encourage innovation and strengthen the forces but also provide new and innovative solutions.
The Prime Minister said space technology is also setting up a new definition of India’s generous thinking by sharing the benefits with other countries.
Many small African countries are benefiting from this. There are more than 60 developing countries with which India is sharing its space science, he said.
By next year, India will share real-time access of Indian satellite data with 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. Even developed European and American countries are using our satellite data, 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.
Modi also said this is an unprecedented Defence Expo as it is for the first time that only Indian companies are participating in it. 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.
He said Gujarat’s identity as a developed state and its industrial capabilities will brighten with the DefExpo being held here.