This year's budget has a blueprint for developing a vibrant ecosystem: PM Modi on defence budget

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is holding webinars to highlight the positive aspects of Union Budget 2022, took up the defence sector and addressed ‘Aatmnirbharta in Defence - Call to Action’.

This was his fourth webinar which was organised by the Ministry of Defence. PM Modi said that the government’s focus on ‘Aatmnirbharta’ is clearly visible in the defence sector and praised the capabilities of India's Defence sector.

After 2014, since the Modi government came to power, the defence sector has started developing several crucial types of equipment within the country.

He said, “India’s defence manufacturing was quite strong even during the period of slavery and in the immediate aftermath of independence. Indian made weapons played a major role during the Second World War. Though, in the later years, this prowess of ours went into decline, still it shows that there has been no dearth of capabilities, neither then nor now.”

He added, “Uniqueness and surprise elements can only happen when the equipment is developed in your own country. This year's budget has a blueprint for developing a vibrant ecosystem from research, design and development to manufacturing within the country. About 70 percent of the defence budget has been kept for domestic industry only.”

PM emphasised the need for a quick procurement process of defence equipment so that by the time it is commissioned, it shouldn’t get outdated.

“Solution for this is in ‘Aatmnirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of technology and said, “The more we deploy our formidable IT power in the defence sector, the more confident we will be regarding our security.”