NE NEWS SERVICE
POKHRAN, MARCH 12
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday witnessed a synergised demonstration of indigenous defence capabilities in the form of a Tri-Services Live Fire and Manoeuvre Exercise in Pokhran, Rajasthan.
Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the valour and skills at display today are the call of new India. “Today, once again Pokhran became a witness of the triveni of India’s Aatmnirbharta, self-confidence and its glory”’, he said. He further said, “It is the same Pokhran that witnessed India’s nuclear test and today we are witnessing the power of strength from indigenisation”.
- Once again Pokhran became witness of triveni of India’s Aatmnirbharta, self-confidence and its glory: PM Modi
- The idea of Viksit Bharat is unimaginable without Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Modi
- Aatmanirbharta for India’s defence needs is the guarantee of self-confidence in the armed forces: PM
- Viksit Rajasthan will give strength to Viksit Sena: Modi
- The Prime Minister expressed happiness that in the last 10 years, equipment worth Rs 6 lakh crore has been procured from Indian companies
- 1.75 lakh defence personnel from Rajasthan have received the benefit of Rs 5,000 crores under OROP: Modi’s guarantee
Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the valour and skills at display on the occasion are the call of new India.
Speaking about the test firing of the long-range AGNI missile equipped with advanced MIRV technology yesterday, the Prime Minister affirmed that only a handful of countries in the world have hold of this new-age technology and prowess and underlined that the testing is another feather in the cap for aatmairbhata in defence.
“The idea of Viksit Bharat is unimaginable without aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the Prime Minister said, underscoring the need to reduce dependence on others.
Noting that today’s occasion is a step towards this resolution, the Prime Minister said that India is laying emphasis on aatmanirbharta from edible oils to fighter jets.
The Prime Minister said that the success of aatmnirbharta in defence can be seen with India’s tanks, cannons, fighter jets, helicopters and missile systems which reflect India’s strength.
“We are experiencing the flight of Made in India with arms and ammunition, communication devices, cyber and space. This is indeed Bharat Shakti,” the Prime Minister said.
He also mentioned indigenously made Tajas fighter jets, advanced light combat helicopters, submarines, destroyers, aircraft carriers, advanced Arjun Tanks and cannons.
Listing out the steps for making India self-reliant in the defence sector, the Prime Minister mentioned policy reforms roping in the private sector and encouragement of MSME startups in the field.
He talked about defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and informed about Rs 7,000 crore investment therein.
Furthermore, Asia’s largest helicopter factory has started working in India. He congratulated the Chiefs of all three forces for preparing lists of items that will not be imported and supporting the Indian ecosystems of these items. The Prime Minister expressed happiness that in the last 10 years, equipment worth Rs 6 lakh crore has been procured from Indian companies. During this period defence production of the country has doubled to more than Rs 1 lakh crore. In the last 10 years, more than 150 defence startups have started and defence forces have given them orders worth Rs 1,800 crore.
Modi’s guarantee
“Families of service personnel from the armed forces have experienced the meaning of Modi’s guarantee”, the Prime Minister said with pride, mentioning the implementation of One Rank One Pension. He informed that 1.75 lakh defence personnel from Rajasthan have received the benefit of Rs 5,000 crores under OROP.
Chief Minister of Rajasthani Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pandey, Chief of Air Force Staff Air Chief Marshal Vivke Ram Chaudhari and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar was present on the occasion among others.
