New Delhi, Read. Describing self-reliance in the defense sector as India's strategic strength, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that now the country's thinking should not be about what India has to buy from the world, but what the world wants to buy from India. He said that during Operation Sindoor the world has seen the capability of India's indigenous weapon systems. Rajnath Singh was addressing the bhoomi pujan and foundation stone laying ceremony of five new defense projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited in West Bengal on Sunday.
'The quality should be such that the world can trust'
The Defense Minister said that India will have to develop such capability in defense production that quality is trusted by the world, price is chosen by the world and orders are received again and again due to timely delivery. He said that GRSE has technical expertise, skilled workforce and vast experience in shipbuilding. Now the increased capacity should be utilized more effectively in the domestic and international markets.
Ship also being built for German company
Rajnath Singh said that along with building warships for the Indian Navy, GRSE is also building 12 cargo ships for a German company. He described it as being in line with the vision of 'Make in India' and 'Make for the World'. He said that along with meeting domestic needs, India will also have to move towards increasing its share in the global defense and shipbuilding market.
'Self-reliance is not just a policy, it is a multiplier of battlefield capability'
The Defense Minister said that the Defense Ministry, research laboratories, public sector undertakings and private companies are working together to provide more and more indigenous platforms to the Indian Armed Forces. He said, “Self-reliance is not just a policy. Self-reliance is a multiplier of battlefield capability.” He described the role of GRSE and Yantra India Limited in defense production as important.
Emphasis on becoming a ship repair center in the Indian Ocean
Rajnath Singh said that if India becomes a major center for repair and overhaul of ships in the Indian Ocean region, it will create thousands of employment opportunities along with saving foreign exchange. He said that India cannot depend on any other country in the defense sector. Indigenous companies and research institutions must continuously increase their capacity and influence in defense production.
Laying the foundation stone of five projects worth Rs 3,500 crore
According to the Defense Minister, Bhoomi Pujan and foundation stone laying ceremony of five important projects costing about Rs 3,500 crore was done.
These include three new shipbuilding facilities of GRSE-
- Raichak Shipyard
- Timber Pond, Howrah Ship Building Facility
- Damodar Complex Shipbuilding Facility
Apart from this, the foundation stone of two state-of-the-art metallurgical facilities of Yantra India Limited was also laid. These include 3,000 tonne capacity hydraulic open die forging press and radial forging plant.
Employment and industrial development will gain momentum in Bengal
Rajnath Singh said that institutions like GRSE and Yantra India Limited are playing an important role in strengthening the industrial base of West Bengal. The new projects will increase defense production and create employment opportunities for MSMEs, allied industries and thousands of people. He said that these projects can open a new chapter in the social and economic development of Bengal.
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