New Delhi: Expressing support to the Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s vision od ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday listed a number of decisions taken to strengthen border security.
In an event in the national capital, he echoed the government’s unwavering resolve to transform India into one of the most powerful nations by 2047.
He said: “Self-reliance and secured borders are central to making India a powerful nation.”
Rajnath Singh underlined the government’s focus to equip the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art weapons/equipment, manufactured by a self-reliant defence industry.
He pointed out at various decisions by MoD to reduce dependency on imports, including issuance of positive indigenisation lists.
He cited the example of recently-commissioned INS Vikrant, which contains 76 per cent indigenous content. The minister stated that India has the ability and capability to manufacture modern weapons and platforms.
He exuded confidence that the country will start manufacturing modern and effective water, land, sky and space defence platforms in the next ten years.
“There was a time when India only exported defence equipment worth Rs 1,900 crore. The figure today has crossed Rs 13,000 crore,” said the minister.
“We have set a target of Rs 1.75 lakh crore of defence production by 2025, including Rs 35,000 crore worth of exports. We are well on course to achieve the target,” he added.
He termed border area development as another aspect at the core of the government’s vision. He asserted that all efforts are being made to increase connectivity with far-flung areas.
He lauded the exceptional synergy between the Armed Forces and the general public in the North-East states and their patriotism, despite challenging circumstances.
