India has become a promising manufacturing destination, says Rajnath Singh
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi sees India’s defence exports reaching US$5 billion by 2024-25, up from the current US$1.5 billion.
“India will take rapid strides to be included among the largest defence manufacturing countries and our private sector and investors will play a big role in that,” Modi told some 800 companies participating in the Aero India 2023 on 13 Feb 2023.
He called upon the private sector to invest in the defence sector which will create new opportunities for them in India and in many other countries.
“The India of today thinks fast, thinks far and takes quick decisions,” he said at the inauguration of the five-day defence show at Bengaluru.
“Aero India’s deafening roar echoes India’s message of Reform, Perform and Transform.”
He assured the gathering that efforts to strengthen the defence sector will keep going forward even stronger.
Addressing the show, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described Aero India as an expression of that resolve.
“India has become a promising manufacturing destination due to its business-friendly environment and cost-competitiveness,” he said.
He termed Aero India as one of the pillars which has strengthened the defence sector and has given it a new identity.
Rajnath Singh welcomed the Defence Ministers, Service Chiefs, CEOs, officials and delegates from many countries participating in this 14th edition of Aero India.
The show has participation from 98 countries.
The Defence Ministers of 32 countries, Air Chiefs of 29 countries and 73 CEOs of global and Indian OEMs are at the event, where 809 defence companies, including MSMEs and start-ups, are showcasing products and services.
The major exhibitors include Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industry, BrahMos Aerospace, Army Aviation, HC Robotics, SAAB, Safran, Rolls Royce, Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and BEML Limited.
UAVs Sector, Defence Space and futuristic technologies were showcased at the event, promoting export of indigenous air platforms like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas, HTT-40, Dornier Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
It aims to integrate domestic MSMEs and start-ups in global supply chain and attract foreign investments including the partnerships for co-development and co-production. fiinews.com
