LUCKNOW: Stepping up defence preparedness is for people’s welfare and not for warfare, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his inaugural address at the 11th edition of DefExpo-2020 in Lucknow on Wednesday. “This is not aimed at any country as India is a reliable contributor to world peace. It's our responsibility to ensure security of not only India, but countries in the neighbourhood as well,” he said.
The five-day DefExpo — India’s biennial exhibition of military platforms and weapons — is being attended by defence ministers of 38 countries, including Israel, Africa, US and Australia and top executives of 172 foreign defence majors and 856 Indian companies. Governor Anandiben Patel, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath along with chief of defence staff Gen Bipin Rawat and chiefs of Army, Navy and IAF were also present. Hardselling India as an attractive investment destination, PM Modi set a target of $5 billion of military exports in next five years and invited global defence majors to set up manufacturing hubs in the country.
Defence exports rose to Rs 17,000cr in past 2 yrs: PM
India has been the largest importer of weapons in the world. This cannot go on for long. In last five years, exports doubled and in next five years, the target has to be over Rs 35,000 crore,” he said, adding his government introduced fundamental policy changes and reforms by giving 460 licences to private sector. In last 70 years, only 217 licences were given, he said. Modi cautioned world representatives and private companies that India was not merely a “bazaar” to sell weaponry. “With change in policies, including 49% foreign direct investment and joint ventures, India is turning into a major destination of defence production. The buyer-seller relationship has transformed into one between partners. Our mantra is Make in India, for India, for world. In 2014, defence equipment export was Rs 2,000 crore. In last two years, it has gone up to Rs 17,000 crore,” he said. The PM said DefExpo-2020 was the largest show in comparison to past events.
“With rapidly changing challenges in field of security, geo-politics and emerging world scenario, a big nation like India, with the second largest population and second biggest army, cannot be complacent just as largest importer of arms, it has to be self-reliant. We have to increase export and reduce imports with active involvement of private sector in defence production,” he said.
The government wants to trigger defence manufacturing and turn India into a major hub for aerospace and overall defence production. He said both ISRO and DRDO were committed to innovation and research and their contribution has brought about major changes in lives of people, the PM said. Modi also suggested setting up a common platform by major industry bodies of the country to boost development and production of military technology. The prime minister said a roadmap has been finalised for application of artificial intelligence for defence preparedness and set a goal of developing 25 products based on AI in next five years.
The PM reminded the audience that in two world wars, India did not participate in any one as an aggressor, but sent troops for peacekeeping. “Even today, a strong contingent of 6,000 security personnel is with United Nations Peacekeeping Force,” he said.
The five-day DefExpo — India’s biennial exhibition of military platforms and weapons — is being attended by defence ministers of 38 countries, including Israel, Africa, US and Australia and top executives of 172 foreign defence majors and 856 Indian companies. Governor Anandiben Patel, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath along with chief of defence staff Gen Bipin Rawat and chiefs of Army, Navy and IAF were also present. Hardselling India as an attractive investment destination, PM Modi set a target of $5 billion of military exports in next five years and invited global defence majors to set up manufacturing hubs in the country.
Defence exports rose to Rs 17,000cr in past 2 yrs: PM
India has been the largest importer of weapons in the world. This cannot go on for long. In last five years, exports doubled and in next five years, the target has to be over Rs 35,000 crore,” he said, adding his government introduced fundamental policy changes and reforms by giving 460 licences to private sector. In last 70 years, only 217 licences were given, he said. Modi cautioned world representatives and private companies that India was not merely a “bazaar” to sell weaponry. “With change in policies, including 49% foreign direct investment and joint ventures, India is turning into a major destination of defence production. The buyer-seller relationship has transformed into one between partners. Our mantra is Make in India, for India, for world. In 2014, defence equipment export was Rs 2,000 crore. In last two years, it has gone up to Rs 17,000 crore,” he said. The PM said DefExpo-2020 was the largest show in comparison to past events.
“With rapidly changing challenges in field of security, geo-politics and emerging world scenario, a big nation like India, with the second largest population and second biggest army, cannot be complacent just as largest importer of arms, it has to be self-reliant. We have to increase export and reduce imports with active involvement of private sector in defence production,” he said.
The government wants to trigger defence manufacturing and turn India into a major hub for aerospace and overall defence production. He said both ISRO and DRDO were committed to innovation and research and their contribution has brought about major changes in lives of people, the PM said. Modi also suggested setting up a common platform by major industry bodies of the country to boost development and production of military technology. The prime minister said a roadmap has been finalised for application of artificial intelligence for defence preparedness and set a goal of developing 25 products based on AI in next five years.
The PM reminded the audience that in two world wars, India did not participate in any one as an aggressor, but sent troops for peacekeeping. “Even today, a strong contingent of 6,000 security personnel is with United Nations Peacekeeping Force,” he said.
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