Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that during the past seven years, the country’s defence production has gone up by 334 per cent and now, India is being recognised as a defence exporting country, a far leap from being the top defence exporter in the world few years back.
Addressing a meeting during review of the progress of the UP Defence Manufacturing Corridor here at the residence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Singh claimed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has achieved a big milestone in the defence manufacturing sector.
“A few years back, we were among the top importers of defence equipment in the world, but now, we have slipped to the second spot after defence manufacturing units started production in a big way. India is now exporting defence items to 75 countries and it is among the 25 countries, which are known as defence exporting countries,” he claimed, adding that 64 per cent of defence requirement are manufactured in the country.
He also blamed the previous governments for not giving any priority to the Defence sector. “During 2000 to 2014, the Centre had issued just 200 defence manufacturing licence but in our seven years of rule, we have have already given 350 licence, while much more is in the pipeline.”
The Lok Sabha member from Lucknow made it clear that red-tapism in the Defence ministry has also been abolished and now, there is a transparent system to deal with all the matters.
“The Central government has already launched a scheme to allow investment in Defence sector in the country, so that the new Defence Manufacturing Corridors in both UP and Tamil Nadu are benefitted,” he claimed.
Giving a pat on the back to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was present in the meeting for providing instant relief to the investors in the Defence corridor, the former UP CM said no one can now stop UP from witnessing an industrial revolution due to the Defence Manufacturing Corridor.
Adityanath seconded Singh and said that the state has turned into the most favourite destination of investors. He further said that every need of the investors is been taken care of on a priority basis.
State Industrial Development Minister Satish Mahana, along with several stakeholders and investors, were present in the meeting. (UNI)
