Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted that investing in the defence sector not only enhances national security but also boosts industrial growth, employment, infrastructure, and technological advancements. Speaking at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, Singh underscored the crucial role of defence manufacturing in India’s economic strategy, stating that such investments lay the groundwork for economic progress and prosperity.
Singh pointed out that defence corridors and manufacturing units offer opportunities in logistics, infrastructure, and research and development, thereby fortifying the nation’s industrial landscape. He mentioned that simplification of defence licensing procedures, liberalization of foreign direct investment policies, and the establishment of defence industrial corridors aim to foster private investments in the sector.
The Defence Minister praised Gujarat’s potential to emerge as a significant defence manufacturing hub, citing the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft manufacturing project in Vadodara as a milestone in India’s aerospace industry. He also commended the production of the K-9 Vajra artillery system in the state, enhancing the armed forces’ capabilities. Singh encouraged Gujarat’s industrialists and innovators to leverage the state’s strengths in industry, innovation, and entrepreneurship to contribute to the country’s defence manufacturing goals.
