Prime Minister issues new list of import embargoes, unveils indigenous HAL-designed trainer and lays foundation stone for Deesa airfield in Gujarat
By Vikas Gupta
Trade Standard, 20 Oct 22
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Wednesday opened India’s first defense exhibition, DefExpo 2022, in Gandhinagar and called for an annual export target of Rs 40,000 crore.
“This is the first defense exhibition attended only by Indian companies and which only showcases Indian-made equipment,” he said.
“From the country of Iron Man, Sardar Patel, we are setting an example of India’s capabilities before the world,” the Prime Minister said.
The Expo has over 1,300 exhibitors from the Indian defense industry, joint ventures (JVs) with foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) and more than 100 start-ups.
Modi said it gave a glimpse of India’s capability and possibilities. He said more than 400 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed for the first time.
At the India Pavilion, which showcased the achievements of “Make in India”, the Prime Minister unveiled the HTT-40 – an indigenous basic trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). According to the Ministry of Defense (MoD), the HTT-40 has state-of-the-art contemporary systems and has been designed with pilot-friendly features.
The HTT-40 is a native triumph, having completed all of its systems checks and flight tests. With more than 60% in-house parts and the collaboration of private industry, the Ministry of Defense considers the HTT-40 a shining example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat’s vision.
Modi also launched “Mission DefSpace” to develop innovative space solutions through industry and start-ups.
The MoD’s push on Africa has resulted in the participation of several countries from that continent. The Prime Minister expressed his joy that “when India gives shape to her dreams, 53 friendly countries from Africa walk with us”.
Also drawing in more countries is the 2n/a Indian Ocean Region Plus (IOR+) Conclave held during the Expo, in line with the Prime Minister’s Vision for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the new Deesa Airfield in Gujarat, saying the forward airbase will enhance the country’s security.
Speaking about India’s success in growing defense exports, the Prime Minister said, “Our defense exports have grown eightfold over the past five years. We export defense materials and equipment to over 75 countries in 2021-22. India’s defense exports reached $1.59 billion (Rs 13,000 crore). And the goal is to reach 5 billion dollars that’s to sayRs 40,000 crore.
Highlighting the MoD’s ‘positive indigenization lists’, which designate equipment that would only be purchased from within the country, Modi released another list of 101 such items, bringing the total number of indigenization items to 411 items. articles mandated for indigenization.
The Ministry of Defense had previously promulgated three “Positive Indigenization Lists”, consisting of 310 items on August 21, 2020, May 31, 2021 and April 07, 2022 respectively. The “Positive Indigenization Fourth List” of 101 items was announced by Modi today.
The Prime Minister called on all companies present at DefExpo and urged them to shape these opportunities by keeping the India of the future at the centre. “You are innovating, you are committed to being the best in the world and you are giving shape to the dream of a strong and developed India. You will always find me there to support you,” he concluded.
Speaking to Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described the massive attendance at DefExpo 2022 of more than 1,300 Indian exhibitors, in addition to senior officials from over 80 countries; as a boost to India’s growing capacity.
Rajnath Singh stressed that national security has always been the government’s top priority. “The land, water and sky already bear witness to the valor of our military, but now we are expanding our defense capabilities by reaching the depths of the ocean…and the heights of space,” he said. -he declares.
