Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Thursday stressed on self-reliance in the defence sector while highlighting the fragile nature of regional and global security. Addressing a gathering at the Defence Expo 2022, General Chauhan said no country could aspire to emerge stronger without achieving self-reliance in defence.
“No country can aspire to emerge stronger without achieving self-reliance in defence, research and development, and manufacturing,” ANI quoted Chauhan as saying.
“Ongoing war in Ukraine, heightened tensions around Taiwan straits, growing instability post-withdrawal of US in Af-Pak region has highlighted fragile nature of regional and global security. This has reinforced belief in self-reliance,” he further said.
General Chauhan said in any joint venture, India would be looking at not only transferring manufacturing technology but also designing technology.
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Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the Defence Expo in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, said the government has set itself a target of achieving defence exports of $5 billion by 2025.
He also said the government was eyeing an overall turnover of $22 billion in defence production by 2025
“The USD 5 billion export target set for 2025 reflects the intent of the government for export-oriented manufacturing,” PTI quoted the minister as saying.
Singh also highlighted the steps taken by the government to boost local defence manufacturing such as increase in procurement categories.
“The path to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or self-reliant India consists of a comprehensive set of policy frameworks that seeks to build indigenous technological and production capacity and capability with cooperation, participation and collaborations with reputed institutions and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) from friendly nations,” the Defence Minister said.
Speaking at the ‘Invest in Defence’ event as part of the Expo, Singh appealed to investors to approach him or defence ministry officials without any hesitation to resolve issues.
“In the past, doors of the Defence Ministry used to remain shut for private players. The defence ministers and officials of the ministry used to avoid meeting investors thinking that someone would point a finger at them. But we are not worried about that. Our doors are always open for you,” Singh said.
(With PTI inputs)