Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated DefExpo22 with "Made in India" equipment only at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat and unveiled HTT-40 indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) at the pavilion. He also launched the Mission DefSpace and laid the foundation stone of Deesa Airfield in Gujarat.
The DefExpo2 2022, the Prime Minister said, paints a picture of New India and its capabilities whose resolve is being forged at the time of Amrit Kaal. It is an amalgamation of the country’s development as well as states’ cooperation, he said while addressing the inaugural event.
“It has the power and dreams of the youth, it has the resolve and capabilities of the youth. It has hopes for the world and opportunities for friendly nations.” the Prime Minister said, adding, “This is the first defence expo where only Indian companies are participating and it features only Made in India equipment... From the land of Iron Man, Sardar Patel we are setting an example of the capabilities of India before the world".
The DefExpo22 has over 1300 exhibitors, including the India Defence Industry, some joint ventures associated with Indian Defence Industry, MSMEs and over 100 startups.
"The Expo provides a glimpse of the capability and possibility of India in one single frame," Modi said, adding that more than 400 MoUs are being signed for the first time ever.
The second India-Africa Defence Dialogue will also take place on this occasion, the prime minister informed.
“As India gives shape to its dream, 53 friendly countries from Africa are walking with us... This relationship between India and Africa is based on time-tested trust that is further deepening and touching new dimensions with the passing of time,” he added.
The prime minister also said the second Indian Ocean Region+ (IOR+) Conclave will also be held during the Expo, which will provide a stage for a comprehensive dialogue to promote defence cooperation amongst IOR+ nations to foster peace, growth, stability and prosperity, in line with the Prime Minister's vision for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
“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... The world's expectations from India have increased, and I assure the world community that India will fulfil them. Therefore, this Defense Expo is also a symbol of global trust towards India,” Modi said.
Acknowledging Gujarat’s identity with regard to development and industrial capabilities, he said, “This Defence Expo is giving a new height to this identity”, he said, adding Gujarat will emerge as a major centre of the defence industry in the coming days.
Also laying the foundation stone of the Deesa airfield in Gujarat, Modi said that the forward airforce base will add to the security architecture of the country.
Noting Deesa’s proximity with the border, he said that now India is better prepared to respond to any misadventure on the western borders.
“After coming to the government, we 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 of security of the country,” Modi said in a release issued by the PMO.
“Space technology is an example of what security will mean for any strong nation in the future. Various challenges in this area have been reviewed and identified by the three services. We have to work fast to solve them.”
“Mission Defence Space”, he continued, “will not only encourage innovation and strengthen our forces but also provide new and innovative solutions.”
There are over 60 developing countries with whom India is sharing its space science, Modi informed. “The South Asia satellite is an effective example of this. By next year, 10 ASEAN countries will also get real-time access to India's satellite data. Even developed countries like Europe and America are using our satellite data,” he added.
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