Prepared to defeat misadventures to defend territorial integrity: Rajnath Singh
India is vigilant in the face of attempts to change the status quo at its border and prepared to defeat any misadventures to defend territorial integrity, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, amid a continued military standoff with China. "India is vigilant and prepared to counter and defeat any misadventures to defend our people and territorial integrity at all costs," Singh said.
We have witnessed unfortunate attempts to change status quo: Singh
"We have long witnessed unfortunate attempts to employ force to change the status quo at our unresolved borders," Singh said at the inaugural ceremony of Aero India 2021, the country's premier Defense and aerospace show, at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru.
India plans to spend $130 billion on defense modernization
To recall, China and India are locked in a military standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5, 2020. The two countries have held several military and diplomatic talks to resolve the face-off, but no significant headway has been made. "India plans to spend $130 billion on defense modernization in next seven-eight years with focus on domestic manufacturing of bigger and complex platforms," Singh said.
'India a victim of state-sponsored and state-inflicted terrorism'
The Government has since 2014 brought in many reforms in the defense sector to create a conducive ecosystem for exports, Foreign Direct Investment, and offset discharge, Singh noted. "Like many of our friendly countries, India faces threats and challenges emanating from multiple fronts," the Union Minister said, adding India is a "victim of state-sponsored and state-inflicted terrorism which is now a global threat."
Rs. 1,75,000 crore turnover targeted in defense manufacturing by 2024
"To achieve twin goals of self-reliance and exports, the government has set a target to achieve a turnover of Rs. 1,75,000 crore in the field of defense manufacturing, including export of Rs. 35,000 crore in aerospace and defense goods and services, by 2024," Singh said.
Focus on manufacturing defense platforms domestically under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan
"Domestic manufacturing of bigger and complex defense platforms has now become the focus of our policy under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan," Singh said. Singh said he has been informed that 540 exhibitors including 80 foreign companies, Defense Ministers, Delegates, Service chiefs, and officials from over 55 nations are participating in Aero India 2021. "It reflects the growing optimism of the global community," he said.
