PM Modi calls on 'Atmanirbhar' in Defence Manufacturing

New Delhi, Aug 28: Emphasizing on the need to become Atmanirbhar in Defence Manufacturing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the aim is to boost defence production, develop new technology and give significant roles to private players in the defence sector.

 

 

The Prime Minister said, "the goal is to build a capable India to make the Global Economy more resilient, more stable and to bring peace in the world. This is the idea behind Atmanirbharta in Defence Manufacturing. India has the potential to become a reliable supplier of defence equipment to many of its friendly nations. It will strengthen India's strategic partnerships and strengthen India’s role as a "net security provider" in the Indian Ocean region."

 

Addressing the seminar on Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing via video conferencing, PM Modi said, "For many years, India has been one of the biggest defence importers. When India got independence, it had the great capability in defence manufacturing and an ecosystem of defence manufacturing established over 100 years. Unfortunately, this subject couldn’t get requisite attention,” the prime minister said at Atmanirbhar Bharat Defence Industry Outreach Webinar.

 

However, as the situation is now changing, he said that continuous and persistent efforts are being undertaken to bring about reforms in the defence sector. He gave out a few concrete steps in which improvement is occurring such as improvement in licensing process, creating level playing field, simplification of the export process.

 

PM remarked that a sense of confidence in the defence sector is essential for building a modern and self-reliant India. Decisions such as the appointment of CDS, which were pending for decades have been taken now, which reflects confidence of New India. Appointment of Chief of Defence Staff has resulted in better synergy and coordination among the three forces and has helped in the scaling up of defense procurement. Similarly, he highlighted that opening of the defence sector by permitting 74% FDI via automatic route reflects the confidence of new India.

 

Referring to the move of banning 101 items, the PM said steps such as earmarking a part of the capital budget for domestic procurement, 101 items for domestic procurement will encourage and give a fillip to domestic defence industries. Emphasizing on the need for technology up-gradation for self-sufficiency in modern equipment, the Prime Minister said that in addition to DRDO, Government is encouraging Research and Innovation in the private sector and in academic institutions as well. Along with this, there is also co-production through joint ventures with foreign partners.

 

On the infrastructure initiatives, the Prime Minister spoke about two defence corridors underway in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He said the state of the art infrastructure is being built in collaboration with the state government of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. An investment target of 20 thousand crores in the coming 5 years has been set for this.

 

Earlier, the government had asked for the suggestions or feedback on the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy Draft. Speaking about this, he said feedback and suggestions received on the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy Draft will help in implementing this policy at the earliest.

 

The Prime Minister also praised Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his entire team for working on a mission mode and taking relentless efforts, the Prime Minister said that the objective of achieving self-reliance in defense production will definitely gain momentum from today’s seminar. PM concluded by saying that collective efforts will help in releasing our resolve to become self- reliant, to become an Atmanirbhar Bharat.