Noting that cyber security is no longer confined to the digital world but has become a subject of national security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the defence sector should tap India’s strength in information technology. “The more we deploy our formidable IT power in the defence sector, the more confident we will be regarding our security,” he said.
Noting the competition among the defence manufacturers for contracts, Prime Minister Modi said it often led to money-focus and corruption.
“A lot of confusion was created with regard to the quality and desirability of weapons. Aatmnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan tackles this problem also,” he said addressing a post budget webinar titled ‘Aatmnirbharta in Defence – Call to Action’ on the announcements made in the budget.
Lauding the ordnance factories for being a shining example of progress with determination, Prime Minister Modi expressed happiness that seven new defence undertakings that were incorporated last year are rapidly expanding their business and reaching new markets.
“We have increased defence exports six times in the last five to six years. Today we are providing Made in India Défense Equipments and Services to more than 75 countries,” he added.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that more than 350 new industrial licenses have been issued for defence manufacturing in the last seven years as a result of the government’s encouragement to Make in India. “Whereas in the fourteen years from 2001 to 2014, only 200 licenses were issued,” he added. The Prime Minister also said that the private sector should also come on par with the DRDO and defence PSUs, adding hence 25% of defence R&D budget has been kept for industry, start-ups and academia.
Prime Minister Modi said a Special Purpose Vehicle model has also been arranged in the budget. “This will establish the role of the private industry as a partner beyond just a vendor or supplier,” he added. The Prime Minister noted that transparent, time-bound, pragmatic and fair systems of trial, testing and certification are essential to the growth of a vibrant defence industry. “For this, an independent system can prove useful in solving problems,” he added.
