Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has stated that self-reliance is not an option but a necessity for India, as the country is facing a double threat on its borders, along with new dimensions of warfare that are emerging in today’s fast-changing world. Speaking at a defence dialogue on ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, organised by STRIVE think-tank in Lucknow, Singh emphasised the need for a strong and self-reliant military as the backbone of a sovereign nation. He praised the government’s efforts to ensure that the Armed Forces are not dependent on foreign weapons and equipment and underlined the importance of being ‘Aatmanirbhar’, especially in emergency situations.
Singh also highlighted the paradigm shift brought about by technology in the nature of warfare and focused on the need to develop indigenous state-of-the-art weapons and platforms that equip and prepare the Armed Forces to tackle new and emerging challenges. He listed the steps taken by the government to create a robust defence ecosystem, which not only caters to domestic requirements but also fulfils the security needs of friendly countries. These include setting up of Defence Industrial Corridors (DIC), earmarking of a record 75 per cent of the defence capital procurement budget, promotion of start-ups among others.
He informed that so far, a total investment of about Rs 2,500 crore has been made in UPDIC by various entities. The corridor will not only produce spare parts but also manufacture and assemble Drones/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Electronic warfare, Aircraft & BrahMos missiles. Singh exuded confidence that the defence exports will soon cross Rs 20,000 crore mark.
