Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme has encouraged 10,000 MSMEs join defence sector: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Sept 28 (KNN) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday that more than 10,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have joined the defence sector with the help of the Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme.

Addressing the 5th Annual Session of Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), he said that the self-reliant approach of the central government has increased the participation of startups and boosted R&D and innovations.

Reflecting on the domestic industry, he said that the government's efforts have resulted positively ever since an increase in the number of contracts being awarded to the domestic industry which is also reflective of recent surge in defence stocks.

The Minister spoke about the increase in defence exports, where he said, “Defence exports have now crossed Rs 13,000 crore. By 2025 the defence production is expected to reach Rs 1.75 lakh crore, which includes export of Rs 35,000 crore.”

He felicitated representatives of Bharat Electronics Limited, Bharat Forge Ltd and Larsen & Toubro Ltd —the winners of the 2nd edition of SIDM Champions Award in different categories.

The theme of the Annual Session was on “India@75: Shaping for India@100”.

The theme was conceptualised with an aim to position India as one of the top countries in defence manufacturing, meeting the requirements of not just its own Armed Forces but of our Friendly Foreign Countries as well.  (KNN Bureau)