PM Modi stresses 70% utilisation of defence budget on domestic defence industry

INDIAPrime Minister Narendra Modi said, the government is continuously working to create an indigenous ecosystem for the development of defence equipment in the country by emphasizing self-reliance and Make in India. Prime Minister today delivered the inaugural address at post-budget webinar on Aatmanirbharta in Defence-Call to Action. He said this year's budget has a blueprint for developing a vibrant ecosystem for research, design, and development of manufacturing within the country. Speaking on how the Budget will help further self-reliance in defence sector, Mr. Modi said, about 70 percent of the defense budget has been kept for domestic industry. He said, more than 350 new industrial licenses have been issued for defense manufacturing in the last seven years which shows commitment towards Make in India. He added that only 200 licenses were issued within the span of 14 years from 2001 to 2014. He said, seven new Defense Public Undertakings have been created in last year which is expanding business rapidly and reaching new markets. Highlighting the steps taken to make the country self-reliant in defence sector, the Prime Minister said, contracts of around 54 thousand crore rupees have been signed for domestic procurement. He added that the procurement process related to equipment worth more than 4.5 lakh crore rupees is in different stages. Stressing on developing the customized weapons, Mr. Modi said, if all the countries have the same kind of weapons, the uniqueness of the defence forces will hamper. He said, uniqueness and surprise elements can be ensured when the weapons are being developed in the country itself. He said, when the country brings weapons from outside, its process is so long that by the time they reach security forces, many of them have become outdated. He said, its solution lies in self-reliance and Make in India. The Prime Minister said, transparent, time-bound, pragmatic, and fair systems of trial, testing, and certification are essential to the growth of vibrant defense industry. The Prime Minister said, the country has increased defence exports six times in the last five to six years and providing Made in India defence equipment and services to more than 75 countries. He noted that cyber security is no longer confined to the digital world but has become a subject of national security. He recalled that country's defence manufacturing was quite strong even during the period of slavery and in the immediate aftermath of independence. He said, Indian made weapons played a major role during the Second World War.