General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), praised the private sector’s contribution to defence manufacturing on Tuesday. He also said that India has the potential to become a superpower in making military equipment and has shown that it has the ability to make big, complex platforms.
General Chauhan talked about the opening of India’s largest helicopter factory, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s new factory in the Tumakuru district of Karnataka on Monday. He said that after independence, the country’s dream was to make its own defence equipment.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Defence Expo 2023, which was put on by NIBE Defence and Aerospace Ltd in Chakan, on the outskirts of Pune.
“When we think of a strong India, the Armed Forces are the first thing that comes to mind, and we’re proud of what they’ve done. General Chauhan said, “There is a big defence ecosystem behind the Armed Forces, which makes the country strong, and this defence ecosystem works together with the Armed Forces.”
The CDS said that the people in this ecosystem do not wear uniforms and are not covered by the Army, Navy, or Air Force Acts. However, they have a strong desire to do something for the country and are always motivated by that desire.
“I think the silent majority has a big part to play in making the country stronger, and we should recognise this. General Chauhan said, “That’s why I’m here: to recognise this silent majority and let everyone know that you’re with us in making the country strong.”
After independence, the country’s dream was to be self-sufficient and independent in the defence sector, and he said that ordnance factories and defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) were a big part of making that happen.
He said that the defence sector was opened up to private players and that the Make-in-India initiative was given a lot of attention so that India could become a manufacturing powerhouse.
“I’m sure that these two efforts by the government will bring out the best in India’s young people and entrepreneurs. General Chauhan said, “NIBE Defense is a great example of this kind of entrepreneurship.”
He said that when the private sector is taken into account, it is clear that India can become a superpower in defence manufacturing.
In the field of defence manufacturing, the CDS also said that there should be a “whole-of-nation approach instead of a whole-of-government approach.”
He said that the Armed Forces, DPSUs, DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization), private industries, MSMEs, and individual innovators all worked together to do this.
“Up until now, people thought that India couldn’t make big and complicated platforms. But yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the HAL helicopter factory in the city of Tumakuru in the state of Karnataka. This will help Tier 2 and Tier 3 businesses grow and create jobs, he said.
General Chauhan said that “Make in India” and “Indianization” will save foreign exchange, that defence exports will rise in the coming years, and that defence diplomacy will also be supported.
He asked defence companies to make good products and said, “In this competitive world, we need to work together to make products that can compete everywhere.
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