New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid foundation stone of C-295 Aircraft Manufacturing Facility - the first aircraft manufacturing facility in private sector in the country in Vadodara Gujarat.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s office, this facility will be utilised for manufacturing of 40 C-295 aircrafts for the Indian Air Force, through collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus Defence and Space, Spain. Speaking during the event PM Modi said that C-295 aircraft manufacturing facility will transform India's Defence, Aerospace sectors.
PM Modi also said that India will witness the passenger aircraft that will be made with the tag of 'Make In India'. "The transport aircrafts that'll be manufactured here will not only give power to our Army but also develop a new ecosystem of manufacturing aircraft... Soon, India will witness the passenger aircraft that will be made with the tag of 'Make In India'," ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
"Today, India is one of the fastest-developing aviation sectors. We are soon to enter the list of the top 3 nations in terms of air traffic. In the coming 10-15yrs, India will require over 2000 passenger &cargo aircraft. This reflects how fast we'll be developing," he added. PM Modi said that the new India is working with a new mindset and a new work culture.
"Now, the new India is working with a new mindset & a new work culture. We have let go of 'Kaam-chalau' decisions... today, our policy is stable, predictable & futuristic," ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
PM Modi criticised the previous governments and said that the mindset of those governments was to avoid problems and there was no solid policy. "Previous governments also had the mindset to avoid problems, keep alive manufacturing sector with a few subsidies. This thinking led to a loss in India's manufacturing sector," ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
He further said that there was neither a solid policy, nor responsibility over need for logistics, electricity and water supply. The facility will be a key step towards achieving Aatmanirbharta in the Defence sector, and will also help unlock the potential of the private players in the sector, the statement informed.
"One key aspect of progress is the change of mindset! Govts, for a long time now, had been working with the mindset that only the govt knows everything and that only they should do everything," ANI quoted PM Modi as saying. This mindset suppressed the country's talent, didn't let private sector grow, he added.
PM Modi highlighted the importance of the Defence and Aerospace sectors and said that these sectors will be two important pillars for making India 'Atmanirbhar'. He also said that defence corridors are being established in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu which would power this scale.
"In the coming years, the Defence and Aerospace sectors will be two important pillars for making India 'Atmanirbhar'. By 2025, our defence manufacturing scale would cross $25 billion. Defence corridors being established in UP & TN would power this scale," ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
PM Modi was felicitated by the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. He was also presented with a memento by Patel, Tata Sons chairperson N Chandrasekaran and urban executive vice president, in Vadodara, Gujarat. PM Modi will also visit an exhibition showcasing technological and manufacturing strides in the aerospace industry under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Apart from making 40 aircraft, this facility at Vadodara would be manufacturing additional aircraft for Air Force requirements and exports, as per Defence Secretary Aramane Giridhar, as reported by the news agency ANI.
Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Today, for the first time in the country, the foundation stone of an aircraft manufacturing facility is being laid by the private sector. It is certainly a matter of pride for the defence sector as well as for the entire country," ANI reported.
"It is not just a foundation stone but a milestone in the defence sector's 'Atmanirbharta' journey. C-295 aircraft manufactured at this facility will be state-of-the-art aircraft with superior capabilities and global standards. It will significantly enhance the logistic capability of Indian Air Force," ANI quoted Rajnath Singh as saying.
(With ANI Inputs)