India achieving defence self-reliance, most equipment now made domestically: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India has made significant strides in defence self-reliance, with most military equipment now manufactured domestically. Addressing a programme in Lucknow, he also highlighted the city's growing role in defence production, research and innovation

Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday highlighted India’s self-reliance in the defence sector and said most of the equipment are now being manufactured indigenously. He was speaking at a ‘Prabuddhjan and Varishthajan Samvaad Kaaryakram’ in Lucknow on Sunday, the city unit of the BJP said in a statement.

“India remains in a strong position despite global challenges and international crises. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is moving forward with confidence, and India’s head will not be allowed to bow down under any circumstances,” he said.

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The minister said the country’s global stature has risen under Modi, and the benefits of public welfare schemes are “reaching the last person in society”. On the self-reliance achieved in the defence sector, he said country’s defence production is steadily increasing, and most defence equipment is now being manufactured indigenously.

Singh, who represents Lucknow in the Lok Sabha, also said that the city is emerging as a key hub for defence production and research. “Several defence-related units, including the BrahMos missile project, have been promoted. The expansion of DRDO laboratories is providing opportunities for research and innovation to the youth,” he said.

He recalled that after becoming an MP in 2014, traffic congestion was a major issue in Lucknow. To address this, priority was given to the Ring Road project, the benefits of which are now being enjoyed by the city’s residents, according to him.

Singh further underscored the “marked improvement” in the law and order situation of Uttar Pradesh.
“Five international airports have been constructed in the state, and key projects like the Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway are set to be launched soon,” he said, according to the statement.

Referring to the start-up sector, Singh said there are currently around 2 lakh start-ups operating in the country, and unicorn companies symbolise India’s “new economic strength”. At the programme, members of the Sikh community requested that a direct flight service or a Vande Bharat train connecting Lucknow to Amritsar be introduced, according to the statement.