Gandhinagar: Adding teeth to the country’s security architecture, India will build a forward Air Force Base in Deesa, close to the border in Gujarat.
The foundation stone for the airfield was laid today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said the new airbase will make the region an “effective centre of security” of the country.
The airfield will add to the security architecture of the country, he said, while noting Deesa’s proximity to the border.
The Prime Minister said India is now better prepared to respond to any misadventure on the western borders, a reference particularly to Pakistan.
“After coming to the government, we decided to set up an operational base in Deesa, and this expectation of our forces is being fulfilled today. This region will now become an effective centre of security of the country,” Modi said.
In the defence sector, the Prime Minister said, ‘new India’ is moving ahead with the mantra of Intent, Innovation and Implementation.
‘Make in India’ is becoming a success story in the defence sector today, he said, adding “Our defence exports have grown 8 times in the last 5 years. We are exporting defence materials and equipment to more than 75 countries of the world.”
In 2021-22, defence exports from India reached $1.59 billion i.e. about Rs 13,000 crore, Modi said, and added that “in the coming time, we have set a target to reach 5 billion dollars i.e. Rs 40,000 crore.”
“The world is relying on India’s technology today because India’s armies have proved their capabilities,” the Prime Minister said.
Talking about the recent induction of aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in the Indian Navy, he said, “This engineering giant and colossal masterpiece has been made by Cochin Shipyard Limited with indigenous technology.”
The induction of the ‘Prachand’ Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), developed under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, is a clear example of India’s defence capability, he said.
Throwing light on making India’s defence sector self-reliant, the Prime Minister highlighted that the armed forces have finalised two lists of equipment which would be procured only within the country.
Accordingly, there will be 411 such equipment and equipment of the defence sector, which will only be bought under the “Make in India’, he said.
“India sees the defence sector as an infinite sky of opportunities, as positive possibilities,” the Prime Minister said.
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Speaking about investment opportunities in the defence sector, he said two defence corridors are being built in UP and Tamil Nadu and many big companies of the world are coming to invest in India.
He also referred to space technology and said it is an example of what security will mean for any strong nation in the future.
“Various challenges in this area have been reviewed and identified by the three services. We have to work fast to solve them,” he said.
“Mission Defence Space”, he continued, “will not only encourage innovation and strengthen our forces but also provide new and innovative solutions.”
The Prime Minister highlighted that space technology is shaping new definitions of India’s generous space diplomacy, giving rise to new possibilities.
“Many African countries and many other small countries are benefiting from this,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister informed that there are more than 60 developing countries with whom India is sharing its space science.
“The South Asia satellite is an effective example of this. By next year, 10 ASEAN countries will also get real-time access to India’s satellite data. Even developed countries like Europe and America are using our satellite data,” he added.
