Self-reliance in defence a mark of new India: PM
Modi hails defence exports push; says India has gone from a country that released pigeons to one that releases cheetahs
AHMEDABAD: India has added 101 more military items that will only be procured domestically, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Wednesday, hailing the strides taken by the country’s indigenous defence sector as a testament to “new India’s” efforts and the beginning of a future that will boost India’s security, economy, and innovation.
Modi said that the expansion of the list was a reflection of the military’s growing confidence in India-made weapons and said that this recognition extended globally, with more than 75 countries now making purchases from Indian companies.
“I have been told today that 101 more items have been added to the list of [defence] items that will be sourced only from India… with this, a total of 411 defence items and equipment will be purchased through Make in India,” he said while inaugurating the Defexpo 2022 in Ganghinagar. Modi added that the business this will bring to Indian
companies will boost research, innovation and job opportunities for the Indian youth.
The ministry of defence separately released the list, which it said included “equipment and systems that are in development and are likely to translate into firm orders in the next 5 to 10 years”. “As per preliminary estimates, more than ₹1,75,000cr worth orders would be placed on Indian industry in the next 5-10 years,” the document outlining the new list added.
Modi added that 68% of the capital procurement budget for
defence has been earmarked for the domestic industry in 2022-23. “Eight years ago, India was known as the world’s biggest defence importer. We would buy materials from all over the world. But new India has shown the intent and resolve to Make in India the success story of India’s defence sector,” he said.
The PM added that in the last five years, the defence outlay and exports have increased eight times and India now exports equipment to more than 75 countries. “In 2021-22, India’s