Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Defence Expo 2022 and laid the foundation stone of a new airbase at Deesa on Wednesday in Gandhinagar. PM said that the new airbase will emerge as an effective centre for the country’s security. After the construction of the new airbase, Gujarat will become a centre of defence in the country and will play a crucial role in India’s security.
“I was seeing on the screen that the people of Deesa were excited over the construction of the new airfield. This airfield will play a major role. Deesa is only 130km away from the International Border. If our forces, especially our airforces, remain in Deesa, then we will be able to give better response to any threat coming from the Western side,” PM Modi said addressing Deesa’s ‘brothers and sisters’ in Gujarati. “When I was the chief minister, I worked towards the construction of the airfield. The land was allotted in 2000 only. I repeatedly urged the then Central government to start the construction as it is at a vantage point. But 14 years went on and nothing happened,” PM Modi said.
“And the files were created in such a way that even after I reached the centre, it took time to finally push the project. And now the dream of my defence personnel is coming true. I congratulate my Airforce soldiers. This will now play an important role in the country’s security,” PM Modi said. Talking about Mission Defence Space which is about to be launched, PM Modi said all three defence forces identified several threats in this section. India’s Mission Defence’s benefits will not only be limited to India but many other countries will also get the benefits.
“Eight years ago, India was identified as the world’s largest importer. But Make-in-India changed this. Our defence export increased eight times in the last eight years,” PM Modi said adding that the defence sector is following 3-Is: Intent, innovation and implementation.
“This export is not restricted to a small number of businesses. Currently, Indian businesses are included in the global supply chain. Tejas is currently attracting interest from a number of nations, and our businesses are exporting defence equipment parts to nations like the US, Italy, and Israel “added PM Modi.
According to PM Modi, every Indian is happy that the Brahmos missile, which was made in India, is today regarded as the most sophisticated and deadliest weapon in its class. The success of Indian-made missiles has been demonstrated to the world by Indian warriors, who have confirmed India’s technological superiority, PM Modi continued.
Crediting the soldiers for all the revolution in the defence sector, PM Modi said there is no political reason behind this; only soldiers made this possible. Defence forces have added 101 new items to the list which will be barred for import, PM Modi said, adding: “I was told today that this will take the number of items to 411 which can only be produced locally.”