Bengaluru, Feb. 15 (PTI): India will spend 75 per cent of the total defence capital outlay for procurement from domestic defence manufacturers in 2023-24, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday in a significant decision aimed at boosting the indigenous production of various weapons and military platforms.
The move will mean setting aside around INR one lakh crore for procurement from domestic sources out of the total defence capital outlay of INR 1,62,600 crore announced in the Union Budget for the next fiscal, officials said on the sidelines of Aero India here.
Separately, Aero India witnessed the firming up of 266 partnerships including 201 MoUs, 53 major announcements, nine product launches and three transfers of technology (ToT) pacts - worth around INR 80,000 crore.
"If you take one step, the government promises to take 10 steps forward. You spoke of land to run on the path of development. We are providing you the full sky," Singh said at the event "Bandhan ceremony" where the pacts were formally inked.
"Earmarking three-fourths of the capital procurement budget for the local industry is a step in that direction," Singh said.
According to official data, the value of India's indigenous defence production from 2019-20 to 2021-22 was INR 2.58 lakh crore.
In 2020-21, the government had set aside 58 per cent of defence capital outlay for procurement from the Indian defence industry. It was increased to 64 per cent in 2021-22. The allocation was further enhanced to 68 per cent in 2022-23.
"The trust of the government and the society in our defence industry is increasing rapidly. The share of procurement from Indian vendors last year was 68 per cent. Inspired by the 'Amrit Kaal', that share has been directly increased to 75 per cent," he said.
The defence minister described the decision to enhance the allocation for the domestic industries as a "very significant" one for the overall growth of the domestic defence sector.
"After this step, our defence industry will move forward with even more enthusiasm and will contribute to making the country's defence manufacturing sector more powerful and prosperous," Singh said.
"It is a matter of great pleasure that Aero-India 2023 witnessed this unprecedented decision," he said. Singh said the Aero-India 2023 inspired all the stakeholders to take a resolution that "we will not get tired anywhere on the path of our progress".
The defence minister said that Aero India showcased to the world the 'New Defence Sector' of 'New India', which has not only grown in the last few years, but is now fully ready to walk alongside the defence sectors of leading countries.
He expressed satisfaction that the event paved the way to strengthening the Indian defence industry, terming it as the beginning of a new era of 'Aatmanirbharta'.
He exuded confidence that the sector will move forward strongly on the path of progress with new energy and determination.
The 14th edition of Aero India at the Yelahanka Air Force station complex on the outskirts of Bengaluru was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and saw the participation of over 700 defence firms and representatives of around 100 countries.
MoUs and technology transfer agreements signed during Aero India will facilitate a new beginning for defence manufacturing in India, Singh said.
A new chapter in India's aerospace sector has begun today, he said.
"Neither will we stop in the face of any obstacle, nor will we bow down in front of any problem. I am sure that this resolution will always remain in our mind," he said.
Singh described Karnataka as one of the states which have been consistently contributing to the country's economic progress.
He stated that there could not be a better place than Karnataka to organise Aero India as the state has attracted local as well as international industries with its robust manufacturing ecosystem.
The Aero India event was aimed at promoting the export of indigenous platforms like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas, HTT-40, Dornier Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
The Defence Ministry has set a goal of a turnover of USD 25 billion (INR 1.75 lakh crore) in defence manufacturing by 2024-25 that includes an export target of USD 5 billion (INR 35,000 crore) worth of military hardware. In the last few years, the government has taken a series of measures to promote domestic defence production.