'Now every weapon bears Made-in-India inscription': Rajnath Singh lauds defence sector's 'rapid' growth

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh lauded India’s rapid progress in building a self-reliant defence manufacturing sector that has curtailed the country’s dependence on foreign imports.

"India has rapidly moved towards self-reliance in the defence sector as well. Our dependence on foreign countries is steadily decreasing, and with this vision, India is building a strong and vibrant defence industry,” he said during an event in Hyderabad.

Singh said that India, earlier, was heavily dependent on other countries for defence equipment. However, the situation has now changed, he claimed.

“We were once heavily dependent on defence imports for our security. But today, the situation is changing. Now, every component, every weapon, every platform proudly bears the inscription Made in India."

Last month, the government signed an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to purchase 97 light combat aircraft, with more than 64 percent of the equipment to be produced in the country. “Whether it's the Tejas fighter aircraft, the Akash missile, the Arjun tank, or the Prachanda helicopter. Today, the strength of our armed forces is growing with technology developed by Indian hands,” Singh said.

The defence ministry had signed the Rs 62,370-crore deal with the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for the procurement of 97 light combat aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A jets for the Indian air force on September 25.

As part of the deal, 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seaters, along with associated equipment will be delivered to IAF.

Moreover, the expected delivery will begin in 2027-28 and is scheduled to be completed within six years.

This is the largest order for the indigenous Tejas platform so far, and follows the Rs 46,898 crore order for 83 Mk-1A jets signed in January 2021.

With agency inputs