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DefExpo 2018 Highlights: PM Narendra Modi's Speech At Def Expo About "Transformation" Of Defence Sector
Apr 12, 2018 11:28:01 (IST)
DefExpo 2018: Highlights Of PM Narendra Modi's Speech At Def Expo 2018

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed international delegates and domestic manufacturers at the DefExpo 2018. India aims to become a major exporter of defence equipment. India currently is the world's largest arms importer. India now has a plan to push exports of defence equipment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship 'Make in India' initiative.

Here are the highlights of PM Narendra Modi's speech at DefExpo 2018:

  • I am delighted & overwhelmed to see an enthusiastic gathering in this historic region of Kanchipuram in the great State of Tamil Nadu.
  • I am very happy to be here in the land of the great Cholas who established India's historical civilization links through trade & education.
  • India is a land of glorious maritime legacy, and Tamil Nadu has been at the forefront of that legacy. This is the land from where India Looked East and Acted East for thousands of years.
  • It is wonderful to see that over 500 Indian companies & over 150 foreign companies are participating in the DefExpo 2018.
  • More than 40 countries have sent their official delegations as well. We are happy to welcome them in India.
  • Our commitment to peace is just as strong as our commitment to protecting our people and our territory. For this we are ready to take all necessary measures to equip our armed forces, including through the establishment of a strategically independent defence industrial complex.
  • We are conscious that defence manufacturing is unique in terms of government involvement. You need the government to grant a license to manufacture arms and ammunition. Since the government is almost the only buyer, you need the government to grant an order. You need the government even to grant permission to export.
  • Over the last few years, we have made a humble beginning. On defence manufacturing licenses, on defence offsets, on defence exports clearances, on Foreign Direct Investment in defence manufacturing, and on reforming our defence procurement, we have taken many steps.
  • The defence procurement procedure has been revised with many specific provisions for stimulating growth of domestic defence industry. We have also de-notified some items earlier made exclusively by Ordnance Factories, so that private sector, especially MSMEs can enter this space.
  • In May 2014, the total number of defence export permission granted stood at 118, for a total value of 577 million dollars. In less than four years, we have issued 794 more export permissions, for a total value of over 1.3 billion dollars.
  • We are committed to establishing 2 defence industrial corridors - One in Tamil Nadu and one in Uttar Pradesh. These will utilize defence manufacturing ecosystems in the regions and further build upon it. The corridors will become engines of economic development and growth of defence industrial base.
  • We have launched the 'Innovation for Defence Excellence' scheme. It will set up defence innovation hubs throughout the country to provide necessary incubation and infrastructure support to the start-ups in defence sector.
  • There was a time when the critical issue of defence preparedness was hampered by policy paralysis. We have seen the damage such laziness, incompetence or perhaps some hidden motives, can cause to the nation. Not now, Not anymore, Never again.
  • You would have seen how the issue of providing bullet proof jackets to Indian soldiers was kept hanging for years. You would have also seen that we have brought the process to a successful conclusion with a contract that will provide a boost to defence manufacturing in India.
  • You would also recall the long-drawn process of procurement of fighter aircraft that never reached any conclusion. We have not only taken bold action to meet our immediate critical requirements, but have also initiated a new process to procure 110 fighter aircraft.

(Photo: PM Narendra Modi addresses delegates at the DefExpo 2018)

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