Indian Defence Minister (DM) Rajnath Singh on Monday announced that India is on the path to attaining “Atmanirbharta” or complete self-reliance in defence.
Singh called on global manufacturers to support the Indian government’s efforts “to design, develop and manufacture cutting-edge products, using critical technologies” within the country.
Remarks
Addressing a roundtable of 70 CEOs and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on the sidelines of Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru, the DM said New Delhi is “open to new ideas.” “India does not want to remain just an assembly workshop and is looking to engage with friendly countries in defence and security,” he emphasised.
In this regard, he assured industry leaders that India is “committed to fully harness the energy, entrepreneurial spirit and capability of private sector partners in the area of defence production.”
Addressed the CEOs of local and global OEMs during a Round Table event in Bengaluru today.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 13, 2023
The Govt. is open to new ideas and it is committed to fully harness the energy and capability of private sector partners in the area of defence production.https://t.co/BT8KwAvWFM pic.twitter.com/sXoK645wo8
Accordingly, Singh promised that the government would remove all obstacles that the private sector faces and strive to facilitate business.
Noting that nurturing an indigenous defence manufacturing capability would spur the Indian economy, he elaborated on a series of steps taken by the government to this end.
Making the Indian Defence Industry Self-Reliant
The DM noted that the government had taken the following measures, among others, to boost the indigenisation of India’s defence manufacturing industry:
- Establishing defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
- Simplification of the industrial licensing process
- Increasing the cap on foreign direct investments (FDI) in defence
- Opening government trial and testing facilities for the private sector
- Increasing capital outlay for defence in the 2023-24 Budget
Indigenisation is India’s Mantra Today
Stressing that “indigenisation is the mantra for India today,” Singh noted that, in contrast to the past, when import was the “default option,” India will seek the participation of private players in defence production.
Had insightful discussions with the CEOs of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on the sidelines of #AeroIndiaShow in Bengaluru.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 14, 2023
Invited the global OEMs to co-develop, co-produce, integrate & strengthen supply chains, form joint ventures in India. https://t.co/iZTUmHbash pic.twitter.com/0cguRhOrQC
In this respect, the DM noted that the conference “will sow the seeds of successful new ventures and partnerships” and boost India’s defence ecosystem. He stressed that the partnership between government and the industry is “based on equality and mutual trust.”