NEW DELHI, Mar 12: “Self-dependence (Aatmanirbharta) for India’s defence needs is the guarantee of self-confidence in the armed forces,” the Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday as he witnessed a combined demonstration of indigenous defence equipment in the form of a tri-services live fire and manoeuvre exercise “Bharat Shakti” at Pokhran in Rajasthan.
“Today, once again Pokhran became a witness of the triveni of India’s Aatmnirbharta, self-confidence and its glory. It is the same Pokhran that witnessed India’s nuclear test and today we are witnessing the power of strength from indigenisation,” Mr Modi said addressing the gathering.
Mr Modi noted that in the last 10 years, equipment worth ₹6 lakh crore has been procured from Indian companies. During this period defence production of the country has doubled to more than ₹1 lakh crore and more than 150 defence startups have started and defence forces have given them orders worth ₹1800 crore, he noted. “The idea of Viksit Bharat is unimaginable without Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he said underscoring the need to reduce dependence on others.
Noting that the exercise was a step towards this resolution, Mr Modi said India was laying emphasis on Aatmanirbharta from edible oils to fighter jets adding that the success of aatmnirbharta in defence could be seen with India’s tanks, cannons, fighter jets, helicopters and missile systems which reflect India’s strength. “We are experiencing the flight of Made in India with arms and ammunition, communication devices, cyber and space. This is indeed Bharat Shakti.” he stated.
Exercise Bharat Shakti simulated realistic, synergised, multi-domain operations displaying integrated operational capabilities of the Indian armed forces to counter threats across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Several top-line equipment development and license manufactured in India were put through paces, over a 50 minute duration, including T-90 (IM) tanks, Dhanush and Sarang artillery guns, Akash surface to air system, logistics drones, robotic mules, light combat aircraft and advanced light helicopter among others.
Bharat Shakti will showcase the shock and awe that the three Services seek to achieve in an operational situation by employing the manoeuvre and fighting capabilities effectively, Maj Gen C. S. Mann, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau had said.
(Manas Dasgupta)