In a significant announcement that underscores India's determined push towards self-reliance in defence, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined a comprehensive vision for building a robust domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, the minister detailed ambitious plans spanning next-generation fighter aircraft, mega manufacturing orders, and strategic international partnerships.
Speaking during an event in Delhi today, the minister positioned innovation and technology development as the core pillars of this new defence paradigm. He highlighted the government's flagship initiative, the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX), which was launched to foster innovation and co-create cutting-edge solutions for the armed forces in collaboration with startups, MSMEs, and academia.
Leap into Next-Generation Technology
In his most forward-looking statement, Mr. Singh declared that India is "marching towards the direction of building Fifth Generation fighter aircraft." This ambitious goal signifies the country's intent to join a select group of nations capable of producing advanced stealth aircraft.
Further elevating this ambition, he confirmed a landmark development in a critical technological domain: jet engine manufacturing. "Engine manufacturing is going to start in the country with the French company Safran," he announced. This collaboration is poised to address one of the most complex and import-dependent areas of aerospace, marking a giant leap for the 'Make in India' initiative in defence.
Mega Orders for Domestic Manufacturing
Providing immediate impetus to the domestic aerospace sector, the Defence Minister revealed a massive new order for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). "The government has approved a new order with HAL to manufacture 97 Tejas fighter planes at a cost of ₹66 thousand crore," he stated.
This order comes on the heels of a previous contract for 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft, valued at ₹48 thousand crore. The combined order for 180 indigenously designed and manufactured Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas represents one of the largest defence procurement programs in India's history, ensuring long-term production stability for HAL and its extensive network of suppliers.
An Invitation to Global Investors
Emphasizing the government's commitment to creating a "suitable growth environment for domestic companies," Mr. Singh outlined the opening of the defence sector to private players. He invited foreign companies and investors to be a part of India's vibrant defence manufacturing journey, highlighting opportunities in mega defence programmes for fighter planes, helicopters, tanks, and submarines.
This open invitation, coupled with policy reforms and a positive regulatory environment, aims to integrate global technology with Indian manufacturing prowess. The government believes this synergy will not only meet domestic demand but also position Indian private companies as potential "global giants in the coming years."
The announcements collectively paint a picture of a strategic and multi-pronged approach: fostering homegrown innovation through iDEX, backing domestic manufacturers with substantial orders, and leveraging global partnerships to master critical technologies. This holistic effort is designed to secure India's strategic autonomy and propel its defence industry onto the world stage.
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