India to soon emerge as global powerhouse for defence manufacturing, says PM Modi

Bengaluru, Feb 13 (KNN) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India will soon emerge as the world’s largest defence manufacturing base.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 14th edition of Asia’s biggest aero show Aero India 2023, the prime minister said, “India is not just a market for global defence companies but also a potential defence partner and an emerging global powerhouse.”

“Our target is to take defence exports to USD 5 billion by 2024-25,” he said.

The Prime Minister added New India of the 21st century will now neither lose any opportunity nor lag behind in hard work. We’re ready. On the path to reforms, we’re bringing a revolution in every sector. “The country which was the biggest defence importer for decades now exports defence equipment to 75 countries,” he added.

The five-day-long Aero India 2023 will host 809 exhibitors including MSMEs, startups, and 110 foreign exhibitors.

As per reports, defence ministers of 32 countries, air chiefs of 29 countries, and 73 CEOs of global and Indian defence OEMs will be participating in the event.

The event will include aerial displays of aircraft and helicopters and a large exhibition and trade fair for aerospace and defence companies. Major exhibitors at the event are BrahMos Aerospace, Army Aviation, Larsen & Toubro, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BHEL), BEML Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Rolls Royce, Dassault Aviation, Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industry, and SAAB. (KNN Bureau)