Only India-made equipment for our forces, US, Russia told: Rajnath Singh

Tribune News Service & PTI

New Delhi, December 18

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday that India had conveyed to the US, Russia, France and many of its partner countries that military platforms and equipment required by the Indian armed forces had to be manufactured in the country.

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Can’t depend on other nations

India cannot depend on other countries for defence technologies due to its stature, geographical location and challenges it faces. Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister

Referring to regional geopolitical developments, he said God had given India some neighbours who did not feel good seeing its growth and that the one born out of Partition was becoming weak worrying about India’s development.

In an address at the annual convention of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), he said most of the countries in the world, including the US, Russia and France, were friends of India.

In this context, he said India, at the same time, made it clear to them that the military hardware required by the Indian armed forces would have to be produced in the country. “We have told every friendly country that we want to produce the military platforms, weapons and ammunition in India itself keeping in mind the security of the country,” he said. “We have conveyed this message to the US, Russia, France and others as well and we do not hesitate to communicate this message,” he added. The Defence Minister said the message to the countries producing military equipment has been that “Come make in India, come make for India and come make for the world”.

He said the government’s vision was to make India a global defence manufacturing hub. “India cannot depend on other countries for defence technologies due to its stature, geographical location and the security challenges it faces,” he said.

“Our aim is not to attack anyone, but prepare our armed forces to be ready at all times to give a befitting reply to the country’s enemies,” he said. At present, India’s defence and aerospace manufacturing market is worth Rs 85,000 crore and by 2022, it would increase to Rs 1 lakh crore, he said.