Indian defence products export increased 8 times since 2014, says PM Modi

Gandhinagar, October 19: Highlighting the country's huge strides in the defence sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said Indian defence products export increased eight times since 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated 'DefExpo 2022' in Gandhinagar. With an aim to give impetus to the defence sector, India's "biggest ever" defence exhibition - DefExpo 2022 is being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This is the 12th edition of the event that has been organised on the theme 'Path to Pride'. Also Read | Drug menace in Punjab: Two siblings in their 20s die due to overdose in Amritsar Speaking at the occasion, PM Modi said, "DefExpo is displaying a grand picture of the New India. It has the nation's development, states' participation, youth power, young dreams, young courage and youth's capabilities. Defence Expo used to be held in our country earlier too but DefExpo2022 is unprecedented. It is the symbol of a new beginning." He said it is the first such Defence Expo in the country where only Indian companies are participating and where there are only Made in India defence equipment. "In the defence sector, new India is moving ahead with the mantra of intent, innovation and implementation. Indian defence companies today are becoming a significant part of the global supply chain. Indian defence products export increased eight folds in the last eight years." Prime Minister stressed the importance of maritime security to boost global trade. "Today, from international security to global trade, maritime security has emerged as a global priority," he said. At the India Pavilion, Prime Minister unveiled HTT-40 - the indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the aircraft has state of art contemporary systems and has been designed with pilot-friendly features. During the programme, Prime Minister also launched Mission DefSpace - to develop innovative solutions for the Defence Forces in the Space domain through industry and startups. PM Modi said that Mission Defence Space will encourage innovation and strengthen our forces. DefExpo is the first-ever edition exclusively for Indian companies. Indian companies, Indian subsidiaries of Foreign OEMs, Division of a company registered in India, and Exhibitor having a joint venture with an Indian company will be considered as Indian participants. The DefExpo 2022 also marks the celebration of one year of the formation of the seven new defence companies, carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board. All these companies will participate in DefExpo for the first time. 451 partnerships in terms of MoUs, Transfer of Technology agreements and product launches, almost double than the last edition, are expected during the Bandhan ceremony on October 20. The India Pavilion - a marque pavilion of the Department of Defence Production - will showcase the maturity of indigenous defence products, start-ups and the latest technology, including Artificial Intelligence in defence, while presenting India's vision for 2047. Also Read | Congress presidential poll results: Counting begins For the first time, States, Union Territories (UTs) have been invited to set up pavilions at the event. The Defence Minister has emphasised that with this new initiative, States, UTs will get an opportunity to participate in nation-building by attracting investment and bolstering their potential of indigenous aerospace and defence manufacturing. -PTC News with ANI inputs