PM Modi Lauds Armed Forces For Supporting Self-Reliance Initiative, Mentions Export Of Brahmos Missile

In his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday complimented the armed forces for supporting his vision for a self-reliant India and made a mention of the export of Brahmos supersonic cruise missile.

Modi also referred to the use of an indigenously developed howitzer gun for the first time for the ceremonial 21-gun salute at the celebrations.

The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) has been developed under the government's 'Make in India' initiative by the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO). 

"Which 'Hindustani' will not get new inspiration and strength from this sound (of the home-grown gun)," the prime minister asked.

Hailing the armed forces for their focus on defence indigenisation, Modi said, "I want to congratulate the soldiers of my country from my heart."

The prime minister said India is becoming a manufacturing hub which is creating the foundation of self-reliance.

"Be it manufacturing of electronic goods, manufacturing of mobile phones, today the country is progressing very fast. When our Brahmos goes to the world, which Indian's mind will not touch the sky," Modi said.

In January, the Philippines concluded a USD 375 million deal with India for the procurement of three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile.

BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint venture, produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.

A number of other countries have also shown interest in procuring the Brahmos missiles.

In a related development, India signed a framework agreement with the Philippines in March that provided for government-to-government deals for the supply of defence hardware and equipment.

The government has initiated a series of measures in the last few years to boost domestic defence manufacturing.

In a major push towards defence indigenisation, the government in August 2020 came out with the first "positive indigenisation" list of 101 items including towed artillery guns, cruise missiles and offshore patrol vessels, which were put under import restrictions under a staggered timeline.

In May last year, the government approved restrictions on the import of an additional 108 military weapons and systems such as next-generation corvettes, airborne early warning systems, tank engines and radars under a timeline of four-and-half years.

In April, a third list of over 100 military systems and weapons were put under import restrictions under a staggered timeline of over three-and-half years.

The defence ministry said orders worth more than Rs 2,10,000 crore are likely to be placed on the Indian industry in the next five years as part of the items covered in the third list.

India has been one of the largest importers of arms globally. According to estimates, the Indian armed forces are projected to spend around USD 130 billion (one billion is equal to 100 crores) in capital procurement in the next five years.

The government now wants to reduce dependence on imported military platforms and has decided to support domestic defence manufacturing.

The Defence Ministry has set a goal of a turnover of USD 25 billion (Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defence manufacturing in the next five years, including an export target of USD 5 billion worth of military hardware.