By TIOL News Service

BANGALORE, FEB 27, 2020: GOVERNMENT has adopted Prime Minister's mantra of "Make in India', for India and the world" to build strong defence and security infrastructure in the country. This was stated by Raksha Mantri, Mr Rajnath Singh, after inaugurating the new Light Combat Helicopter Production Hangar at Helicopter Division in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Complex at Bengaluru, Karnataka today. He said, in the last five years, India has made significant progress towards manufacturing military equipment indigenously under the 'Make in India' initiative.

Stressing that defence industry plays a major role in the economic development of the country, Raksha Mantri lauded the significant contribution of organisations like HAL - a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) that has helped India leapfrog six places to become the fifth largest economy in the world. He added that there has been increase in defence exports that have crossed Rs 17,000 crore in the last two years. Highlighting the Rs 35,000 crore exports target set for the coming years, Raksha Mantri expressed confidence that HAL, through its various platforms, will contribute significantly in achieving this milestone.

Mr Rajnath Singh commended HAL for being the backbone of the Indian Air Force and meeting the requirements of the Armed Forces. "The HAL has excelled both in operations and finance in the last five years. It has achieved operational clearance on seven platforms, including Light Combat Aircraft and Light Combat Helicopter, and overhauled platforms like Hawk and SU 30 MKI," he said. Mr Rajnath Singh also appreciated that HAL had a turnover of Rs 19,705 crore till March 2019 and it gave shareholders a healthy dividend of 198 per cent.

Noting that HAL is now facing stiff competition from private defence industries, Raksha Mantri urged the DPSU to take this changing environment as a challenge and grab the opportunities to increase their competitiveness in the international market. He conveyed best wishes to HAL for its future projects in the field of fixed wing and rotary aircraft, hoping that the DPSU will lead India in civil aircraft business too.