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NEW DELHI: Just before the model code of conduct kicks in for the general elections, PM Narendra Modi is slated to witness a major tri-Service exercise, firepower demonstration and display of indigenously produced weapon systems, equipment and platforms at Pokhran on March 12.
The ‘live fire and manoeuver demonstration’ called ‘Bharat Shakti’, which will also be attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh and the top military brass, is aimed at showcasing the strides taken by the armed forces under the government’s policy of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence production, officials said on Wednesday.
“The exercise will include air-land battle manoeuvers, multi-domain operations and static displays of indigenous weapon systems and platforms. With the government push on self-reliance, 150 of the 153 contracts in the last one year have been concluded with Indian industry,” an official said.
As the ‘lead service’ for the event, the Army will be showcasing around 60 systems, ranging from BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Akash air defence missiles and Swati weapon-locating radars to K-9 Vajra self-propelled tracked guns, Dhanush howitzers and Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems.
The IAF, in turn, will field Tejas fighters, Prachand light combat helicopters and Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) planes, among others. The Navy will showcase things like stabilized remote-controlled guns, mobile anti-drone systems, lightweight torpedoes, and fire-fighting bots.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, at an event on Monday, had stressed that a huge country like India cannot remain dependent on import of weapons and platforms because it can prove “fatal” for strategic autonomy. “Without self-reliance, India cannot take independent decisions on global issues in line with its national interests,” he said.
India’s annual defence production is expected to touch Rs 3 lakh crore, along with arms exports of Rs 50,000 crore, by 2028-29. “In 2014, our annual domestic defence production was around Rs 44,000 crore. Today, it has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore, and is growing continuously,” Singh said.
The ‘live fire and manoeuver demonstration’ called ‘Bharat Shakti’, which will also be attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh and the top military brass, is aimed at showcasing the strides taken by the armed forces under the government’s policy of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence production, officials said on Wednesday.
“The exercise will include air-land battle manoeuvers, multi-domain operations and static displays of indigenous weapon systems and platforms. With the government push on self-reliance, 150 of the 153 contracts in the last one year have been concluded with Indian industry,” an official said.
As the ‘lead service’ for the event, the Army will be showcasing around 60 systems, ranging from BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Akash air defence missiles and Swati weapon-locating radars to K-9 Vajra self-propelled tracked guns, Dhanush howitzers and Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems.
The IAF, in turn, will field Tejas fighters, Prachand light combat helicopters and Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) planes, among others. The Navy will showcase things like stabilized remote-controlled guns, mobile anti-drone systems, lightweight torpedoes, and fire-fighting bots.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, at an event on Monday, had stressed that a huge country like India cannot remain dependent on import of weapons and platforms because it can prove “fatal” for strategic autonomy. “Without self-reliance, India cannot take independent decisions on global issues in line with its national interests,” he said.
India’s annual defence production is expected to touch Rs 3 lakh crore, along with arms exports of Rs 50,000 crore, by 2028-29. “In 2014, our annual domestic defence production was around Rs 44,000 crore. Today, it has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore, and is growing continuously,” Singh said.
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