PM Bats for Indigenous Defence Manufacturing

In a meeting held on Thursday, PM Modi along with other Union Cabinet Ministers discussed strategies and matters around the Defence sector, especially Defence manufacturing in the country. The main motive is to achieve self-reliance in arms and defence equipment.

Crux of the Matter

Prioritize Defence Manufacturing: PM Modi PM Modi emphasized reducing imports in the defence sector. Even though India’s imports have reduced by 32% since 2015, India still holds 2nd position in the arms import in the world. Thus PM Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, FM Nirmala Sitharaman agreed to boost domestic production through the ‘Make in India’ initiative. A great emphasis was also given on strategies to lure investment and to increase exports in the defence sector. India has made some progress in direction of self-reliance as the Indian Navy’s weapon list gets stronger with Scorpene-class submarines under the ‘Make in India initiative’. Production of indigenous Astra missiles will start in India under this initiative. Under the Make in India terms of the Indo- US Apache deal, fuselages and other aerostructures are being produced jointly by the Tata Boeing manufacturing unit in Hyderabad.

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Priority II: Export Arms India jumped to 19th from 23rd in the list of arms exports in the world. India has seen massive rise in arms exports since 2016. India exports weapons to 42 countries in the world including the USA, France, Finland, etc. India exports personal protective items, offshore patrol vessels, ALH helicopter, SU Avionics, Bharati Radio, Coastal Surveillance Systems, Kavach MoD II Launcher and FCS, Spares for Radar, Electronic System, etc.

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Curiopedia

1. The indigenous INSAS rifle is the standard infantry weapon of the Indian Armed Forces. INSAS is an abbreviation of INdian Small Arms System. It has Assault Rifle and Light Machine Gun variants.

2. In 2010, the DRDO developed a non-lethal grenade made from resin of the Bhoot Jolokia, one of the hottest chilies in the world. This chili grows in India’s Assam. DRDO said the chili grenade is so pungent that it could force any terrorist in a hideout to come out.

3. BrahMos stands for India’s Brahmaputra and Russia’s Moskva rivers. BrahMos is a joint supersonic cruise missile venture between India and Russia. This missile can travel faster than America’s Tom Hawk missile.

Curated Coverage

1. Live Mint -PM Modi pushes for reduction in imports in defence sector

2. The print – Modi govt made defence exports jump 700%. Now it must radically reform ordnance factories

3. Economic Times – In a first, India figures on arms exporters list

4. Live Mint -India now exports defence products to 42 countries

#Defence #MakeinIndia