Indigenisation of defence equipment possible owing to courage shown by leadership of armed forces: PM Modi

Pointing out how “change” is happening in India, PM Modi said: “The change is happening very quickly. There was a time in this country when pigeons used to be released, now we have the power to release cheetahs.”

PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with other dignitaries at the DefExpo2022, in Gandhinagar, on October 19, 2022 (Photo: Government of Gujarat)

“Today the world is trusting India’s technology because the defence forces of the country have proved the abilities of these products. The Indian Navy has included INS Vikrant in its fleet. This masterpiece of engineering has been made using the indigenous technology of Cochin Shipyard. The IAF has inducted Light Combat Helicopters made under the Make in India campaign and similarly, the Indian Army is buying indigenous field guns… The modern artillery being built at Hazira is defending the country’s borders. To reach this situation, our policies and reforms have played a role,” said PM Modi while formally launching DefExpo 2022, which began in Gandhinagar on October 18.

Crediting the defence forces for buying Indian products, PM Modi said, “About 68 per cent of India’s defence budget has been earmarked for Indian companies. In other words, the budget will be used to buy products made by the people of the country. This is a big decision and it has happened because of the courage shown by the leadership of the defence forces. These are not decisions that happen by political will. These decisions happen as per the will of the defence forces. I am proud that I have officers in my defence forces who are taking… such decisions.”

“Our forces have decided that the maximum equipment needed for the country’s security will be bought from within the country. The defence forces have created two lists of equipment. One is the list of equipment bought in the country and the second list is… bought from overseas if very necessary,” he said, adding that 411 items were being procured domestically.

PM Modi at DefExpo2022, said, “It is the first such Defence Expo in the country where Indian companies are participating, where there are only Made in India defence equipment.” (Photo: Government of Gujarat)

PM Modi said Brahmos missiles manufactured in India were also a ‘favourite option’ for several countries. “Many countries are showing interest in India’s modern fighter jet ‘Tejas’. Our companies are also supplying defence parts to the United States, Israel and Italy,” he added at the event attended by representatives from 70-odd countries.

Pointing out how India’s exports have multiplied eight-fold in recent times, PM Modi said: “New India has shown intent and Make in India has become a success story for the defence sector. In the last five years, our defence exports have increased eight times and we have supplied products to 75 countries. In 2021-22, we exported $1.59 billion or Rs 13,000 crore. In the coming years, it is expected to reach $5 billion or Rs 40,000 crore.”

“These exports are not limited to a few equipment or to a few countries. Indian defence companies are becoming an important part of the global supply chain,” he added.

Postponement of DefExpo

PM Modi also delved into the postponement of DefExpo earlier in the year. “We wanted to hold this event sometime back. But due to some circumstances, we had to change the time. This caused some delay. Guests coming from abroad were inconvenienced… I know some countries were also inconvenienced, but many countries have joined us positively,” he said about the DefExpo 2022 which was postponed in March 2022 after the Russia-Ukraine war began.

Addressing a large number of representatives from African countries present at the event, the Prime Minister said: “Fifty-three friendly countries from Africa are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us. The friendship and relationship between India and African countries have strengthened with the passage of time…” he said, reminding the African guests the connections Gujarat has with Africa. “The first train that ran in Africa was built by people from Kutch who had travelled to Africa,” Modi said, mentioning that Gujarati words like “Dukaan” have made their way into African vocabulary.

Defence forces will release a list of 101 more items that cannot be imported to India. (Photo: Government of Gujarat)

“Maritime security has become important globally,” he said, talking about Indian Ocean Region countries which stretch from the coasts of Eastern Africa to South-East Asia.

Due to the absence of foreign exhibitors at DefExpo 2022, PM Modi credited the event as one exclusively held to display products made in the country. “DefExpo used to be held earlier in the country too. But this edition of DefExpo is a symbol of a new beginning. It is the country’s first DefExpo where only Indian companies are participating and only Made in India equipment is being exhibited,” he said, adding that there were 1,300 exhibitors which include Indian companies, foreign joint venture firms, MSMEs and more than 100 startups.

New Airbase at Deesa

Virtually laying the foundation stone for a new IAF air base at Deesa in north Gujarat, PM Modi said: “The construction of Deesa airfield is a big achievement for the country’s security and development of the region. Deesa is just 130 kilometres from the international border and if our forces, especially IAF, are at Deesa then we can give a better reply to any recklessness on the western borders.”

PM Modi said that the Gujarat government had given land for the airfield way back in 2000. “When I was the chief minister here, I used to constantly impress upon the then government at the Centre about the importance of the airfield. But till 14 years (of UPA rule), nothing happened. The files (about the project) were left in such a way that even after I reached (PMO), it took time to set things right,” PM Modi added.

Addressing the audience, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the upcoming airbase at Deesa will provide air defence to Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.