ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಪಡೆಗಳಿಂದ ದೇಶಿಯ ಸಲಕರಣೆಗಳ ಖರೀದಿ: ಭಾರತದ ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಕ್ಷಿ

ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಬುಧವಾರ ಹಮ್ಮಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗಿದ್ದ ಡಿಫೆನ್ಸ್‌ ಎಕ್ಸ್‌ಫೋ–2022 ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಉದ್ಘಾಟಿಸಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ಅವರು, ‘ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ವಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲ ಕಂಪನಿಗಳ ಏಕಸ್ವಾಮ್ಯದ ಹೊರತಾಗಿಯೂ ಭಾರತವು ಜಾಗತಿಕ ಮಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ತನ್ನದೇ ಆದ ಸ್ಥಾನ ಹೊಂದಿದೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ಆತ್ಮವಿಶ್ವಾಸ ಇಮ್ಮಡಿಗೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿರುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಇದು ನಿದರ್ಶನ’ ಎಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

‘2021–22ರಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರತದ ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಸಲಕರಣೆಗಳ ರಫ್ತು ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯ ₹13 ಸಾವಿರ ಕೋಟಿಗೆ ತಲುಪಿದೆ. ಇದನ್ನು ₹40 ಸಾವಿರ ಕೋಟಿಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸುವ ಗುರಿ ಹೊಂದಿದ್ದೇವೆ’ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

‘ಕರಾವಳಿ ಭದ್ರತೆಯು ಈಗ ಜಾಗತಿಕ ಆದ್ಯತೆಯಾಗಿ ಹೊರಹೊಮ್ಮಿದೆ. ಬಾಹ್ಯಾಕಾಶ ವಲಯದಲ್ಲಿನ ಭವಿಷ್ಯದ ಅವಕಾಶಗಳನ್ನು ಗಮನದಲ್ಲಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು ನಾವು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಸಿದ್ಧತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಿದೆ. ಜಾಗತೀಕರಣದ ಕಾಲಘಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಣಿಜ್ಯ ಉದ್ದೇಶದ ನೌಕಾಯಾನದ ಪಾತ್ರವೂ ಮಹತ್ವದ್ದಾಗಿದೆ’ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಭಾರತ ಮತ್ತು ಆಫ್ರಿಕಾ ನಡುವಣ ಬಾಂಧವ್ಯದ ಕುರಿತು ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ಮೋದಿ, ‘ನಂಬಿಕೆಯ ನೆಲೆಗಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ‌‌ಈ ಬಾಂಧವ್ಯವು ಮತ್ತಷ್ಟು ಆಳಕ್ಕೆ ವಿಸ್ತರಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಸಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಕಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ಅನುಗುಣವಾಗಿ ಹೊಸ ಆಯಾಮಗಳೆಡೆ ಹೊರಳುತ್ತಿದೆ’ ಎಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

‘ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ತಯಾರಿಸಿರುವ ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಸಲಕರಣೆಗಳ ರಫ್ತು ಪ್ರಮಾಣವು, ಹಿಂದಿನ ಕೆಲ ವರ್ಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಟ್ಟು ಎಂಟು ಪಟ್ಟು ಏರಿಕೆಯಾಗಿದೆ. ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಪಡೆಗಳು ತಮ್ಮ ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯವನ್ನು ಜಗಜ್ಜಾಹೀರುಗೊಳಿಸಿವೆ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಇಡೀ ಜಗತ್ತು ಭಾರತದ ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನದ ಮೇಲೆ ನಂಬಿಕೆ ಇಟ್ಟಿದೆ. ನಾವು 75ಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಗಳಿಗೆ ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಸಲಕರಣೆಗಳನ್ನು ರಫ್ತು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ.ನಮ್ಮ ನೀತಿಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಸುಧಾರಣೆಗಳು ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಬಹುಮುಖ್ಯ ಕಾರಣ’ ಎಂದು ಮೋದಿ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

‘ಭಾರತವು ತನ್ನ ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಆಯವ್ಯಯದ ಶೇ 68ರಷ್ಟು ಮೊತ್ತವನ್ನು ದೇಶಿಯ ಕಂಪನಿಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ ಮೀಸಲಿಟ್ಟಿದೆ. ಇದು ಮಹತ್ವದ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ. ನಮ್ಮ ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಪಡೆಗಳು ಹೊಸ ಆವಿಷ್ಕಾರದ ಅವಕಾಶಗಳನ್ನು ಕಂಡುಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಿದೆ. ಸುಮಾರು 60 ಪ್ರಗತಿಶೀಲ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ದೇಶವು ತನ್ನ ಬಾಹ್ಯಾಕಾಶ ವಿಜ್ಞಾನವನ್ನು ಹಂಚಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಯುರೋಪ್‌ ಮತ್ತು ಅಮೆರಿಕದ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಹೊಂದಿದ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಗಳೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಉಪಗ್ರಹ ದತ್ತಾಂಶ ಬಳಕೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿವೆ’ ಎಂದೂ ಮೆಚ್ಚುಗೆ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

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ಭಾರತ–ಪಾಕ್‌ ಗಡಿ ಬಳಿ ವಾಯುನೆಲೆ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಗೆ ಅಡಿಗಲ್ಲು

ಭಾರತ ಮತ್ತು ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನ ಗಡಿ ಸನಿಹವಿರುವ ಉತ್ತರ ಗುಜರಾತ್‌ನ ಬನಸ್‌ಕಾಂಟಾಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಡೀಸಾಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಯುನೆಲೆ ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸುವ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಮೋದಿ ಅವರು ಬುಧವಾರ ಚಾಲನೆ ನೀಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಬಳಿಕ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ಅವರು, ‘ಈ ವಾಯುನೆಲೆಯು ದೇಶದ ಪರಿಣಾಮಕಾರಿ ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಕೇಂದ್ರವಾಗಿ ಹೊರಹೊಮ್ಮಲಿದೆ’ ಎಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

‘ನಾವು ಅಧಿಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದ ಮೇಲೆ ಡೀಸಾದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಯುನೆಲೆ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸುವ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ಕೈಗೊಂಡಿದ್ದೆವು. ಈ ಜಾಗದಿಂದ 130 ಕಿ.ಮೀ ದೂರದಲ್ಲೇ ಭಾರತ–ಚೀನಾ ಗಡಿ ಪ್ರದೇಶವಿದೆ. ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಗಡಿಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದೇ ಬಗೆಯ ಸವಾಲು ಎದುರಾದರೂ ಅದನ್ನು ದಕ್ಷತೆಯಿಂದ ಎದುರಿಸಲು ವಾಯುಪಡೆಗೆ ಈ ನೆಲೆ ಸಹಕಾರಿಯಾಗಲಿದೆ’ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

Decision of Indian defence forces to buy most of equipment made in country shows capacity of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat': PM Modi at DefExpo 2022

Gandhinagar, Oct 19 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the decision of the Indian defence forces to buy a majority of the equipment made in the country shows the capacity of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India).

India has made its place despite the monopoly of a few manufacturing companies in the defence sector globally, he said.

This also symbolises the rising confidence on defence materials made in India, he said after inaugurating the Defence Expo 2022, which is aimed at showcasing the country's defence manufacturing capabilities.

The defence exports from India reached about Rs 13,000 crore in 2021-22 and "we have set a target to reach Rs 40,000 crore in the coming times," he said.

"The country has come a long way as earlier we used to release pigeons and now we release cheetahs," he said.

The PM also laid emphasis on the importance of maritime security and space technology.

The maritime security has emerged as a global priority, he said. India will also have to increase its preparations looking at the future opportunities in the space sector, he said.

On the issue of maritime security, Modi talked about his vision of the 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR). India's engagement in the Indo-Pacific region is inclusive, he said.

“Today, from international security to global trade, maritime security has emerged as a global priority. The role of the merchant navy has also expanded in the era of globalisation,” he said.

“The world's expectations from India have increased, and I assure the world community that India will fulfil them. Therefore, this Defence Expo is also a symbol of global trust towards India,” he said.

Modi also talked about India's relationship with Africa and said it is based on the "time-tested trust which is further deepening and touching new dimensions with the passage of time.” Dwelling upon the old ties between Africa and Gujarat, he recalled that the first railway line in Africa had the participation of people from Kutch.

Modi said the defence forces will on Wednesday release a list of 101 more items that can only be procured in India. With this, 411 defence-related goods can only be procured locally, he said.

"This will give a major boost to the Indian defence industry,” he said, adding that these decisions also show the potential of a self-reliant India.

He said the exports of Indian defence products have increased eight times in the last few years. "The world is trusting Indian technology because the our armed forces have proved their capabilities. We are exporting defence materials and equipment to more than 75 countries," the PM said."Our policies, reforms and the ease of doing business have played a big role in reaching this point.

India has earmarked 68 per cent of its defence budget for Indian companies. It's a big decision, and has been made possible because of the progressive leadership of the Indian Armed Forces," he said. The PM said the decision of the Indian defence forces to buy a majority of the equipment made in the country shows "the capacity of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and also symbolises the rising confidence on defence materials made in India."

"There will be more than 400 equipment which will be bought only under Make in India (initiative). Imagine such a huge budget will strengthen the pillars of Indian companies," Modi said. Talking about the future opportunities in space, Modi said India will have to increase its preparations.

"Our defence forces will have to find new innovation opportunities," he said, adding that space technology is also setting up a new definition of India's generous thinking by sharing the benefits with other countries. "Many small African countries are benefiting from this. There are more than 60 developing countries with which India is sharing its space science," he said.

By next year, India will share real-time access of Indian satellite data with 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries.

"Even developed European and American countries are using our satellite data," he said.

India's youth will realise the possibilities related to the space sector in a timely manner and with better quality taking inspiration from (late space scientist) Dr Vikram Sarabhai. The youth will give a new energy to our commitment, he said.

Modi also said that after his government came to power, they 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 for the country's security, he said.

"The international border is just 130 km away, If our forces, especially the Air Force, will be in Deesa, we shall be able to respond in a much better way to any challenge on the western border," he said. Modi said for this airfield, Gujarat had given land way back in 2000, and as the then chief minister he tried his best for its construction and explained this to the then central government about its importance. "But nothing happened for 14 years," he said. "So many question marks were put on files that it took time to put things into the right perspective even after I went there (at the Centre). After we formed the government, we decided to make an operational base in Deesa and the expectations of our forces are being met today," he said. Modi also said this is an unprecedented Defence Expo as it is for the first time that only Indian companies are participating in it. There are more than 1,300 exhibitors which include the Indian defence industry, some joint ventures associated with it, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and more than 100 Start-ups, he said. He said Gujarat's identity as a developed state and its industrial capabilities will brighten with the DefExpo being held here. PTI KA PD GK GK GK

New airbase coming up in Gujarat near Indo-Pak border to emerge as effective centre for country's security: PM Modi at DefExpo 2022

(Eds: Adding photos) Gandhinagar, Oct 19 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of a new airbase coming up in north Gujarat near India-Pakistan border and said it will emerge as an effective centre for the country's security. Speaking after inaugurating the Defence Expo 2022 in Gujarat capital Gandhinagar, Modi also said that defence forces will release a list of 101 more items that cannot be imported. With this 411 defence-related goods can only be procured locally, he said. "This will give a major boost to the Indian defence industry,” he said. The PM said this is an unprecedented DefExpo as only Indian companies are participating in it for the first time.

He said the air base coming up at Deesa in Banaskantha in North Gujarat will "emerge as an effective centre for the security of the country. He also said that the exports of Indian defence products have increased eight times in the last few years. The country has come a long way, as "earlier we used to release pigeons and now we release cheetahs", he added. PTI KA PD GK GK GK