Gandhinagar: PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Defense Expo 2022 at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Center in Gandhinagar. PM Modi said in this ceremony that the organization of Defense Expo is presenting a grand picture of new India, the development of Gujarat is through the strength of youth, youth determination, youth enterprise, youth capability in Defense Expo. He said that more than 1300 Indian exhibitors and more than 100 startups – MSMEs – will be present at Defense Expo-2022. Taking part, more than 450 MoUs and agreements will be signed. He said that Gujarat will become a major center of defense industry in the coming days.
He further said, this exhibition is also a hope for the world. We are getting support from our friendly countries. There have been defense expos in our country before but this time defense expo is unprecedented. A symbol of a new beginning. This is the country’s first defense expo in which only Indian companies are participating, only Made in India defense equipment is exhibited here. For the first time ever, a Defense Expo includes a variety of products made from the soil of India, the sweat of the people of India.
Today, the strength of the scientists of our country, the strength of the youth of our country will introduce the strength of our new India in front of the world. As India shapes the India of tomorrow, India’s 53 African friends stand shoulder to shoulder with us. India-Africa Defense Dialogue is also going to be started on this occasion. This friendship between India and African countries is based on an age-old trust which is getting stronger with time.
The workers who went to Africa from Kutch in Gujarat worked hard in the construction of the first train and played an important role in preparing the modern railway. In Africa today the word shop is common. This shop word is Gujarati. For a global leader like Mahatma Gandhi, Gujarat was his birthplace, while Africa was his first karmic land. During the corona period, when the whole world was worried about the vaccine, India gave priority to the African friendly countries and delivered the corona vaccine.
Today, the defense sector cooperation and coordination will take the relations between the two countries to new heights. This Defense Expo is a symbol of global confidence in India. With this defense expo, the recognition of Gujarat is getting a new height. I want to assure the world today that India will make all efforts to meet your expectations, India will never back down. Gujarat will become a big center of defense industry in the coming time. I am confident that Gujarat will contribute immensely to India’s security and strength.
Banaskantha and Patan of Gujarat have emerged as the center of solar power and solar energy, the same Banaskantha and Patan will also become the center of wind power for the country today. Space technology is a great example of what the future security rules are for any powerful nation. This Defense Expo is a great opportunity for the youth of India for their future. Indian defense companies are becoming an important part of the global supply chain today.
India is showing interest in modern fighter jets like Tejas, today our company is supplying defense equipment parts to countries like America, Israel and Italy. The Indian-made BrahMos missile is considered the most lethal and sophisticated in its category. For many countries, the BrahMos missile has become their top choice. The world trusts India’s technology. Indian armies have proved their mettle.
He said that India has earmarked 68 percent of its defense procurement budget for Indian companies. Indian Army has got a progressive leadership. I have unwavering faith in the youth power of my country. Along with the government, the army has also decided that for the defense of the country, a major part of the purchase of Saghna will be the purchase of Saghna made in the country. Today the country’s youth power is becoming a center of hope for the world.
India exports defense material and equipment to 75 countries of the world: Modi
PM Modi virtually laid the foundation stone of Disa Airbase at Disa in Banaskantha. He lashed out at the UPA government at the Center and said that the state government had given land in the year 2000 for the forward air base at Disa. But for 14 years the central government did not give permission. During the UPA government, the files were made in such a way that even after becoming the PM, they have been allowing me for 8 years. However, today that demand has been satisfied.
He said that India is progressing in these three areas of intention, innovation and implementation. So far India has been identified as the largest importer in the defense sector across the world, but Make in India has become the biggest success story in the defense sector today. Today, India’s defense exports have increased eightfold. India is exporting defense materials and equipment to more than 75 countries.
In the year 2021-22, defense exports in the defense sector have reached 1.59 billion dollars i.e. 13,000 crore rupees. The target is to reach five billion dollars i.e. Rs 40,000 crore in defense exports in the next five years. India’s proudest example of ‘INS Vikrant’ is a symbol of Made in India technology. A huge and colossal masterpiece of modern engineering, ‘INS Vikrant’ is also a masterpiece of indigenous technology. He also said that the Air Force’s ‘colossal’ light combat helicopters and the Navy’s ‘combatgun’ are the flagships of Indian products.
Modern weapons manufactured in Hazira, Gujarat are protecting the border. He said that the Indian Army prepares two lists for procurement of military material. One list is to buy products made in India. Now the only equipments which are indispensable are bought from outside. I am proud to say that 101 more items have been decided to be sourced from India. Which is a symbol of self-reliant India and growing confidence in the country’s products. As many as 411 items and equipment used in the Indian Army today are manufactured in India.