New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of a new IAF base In Gujarat's Deesa at the inauguration ceremony of Defence Expo 2022. This is the 12th edition of the event that has been organised on the theme 'Path to Pride'. PM Modi is on a two-day trip in the poll-bound state where he is expected to launch several other developmental projects.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi said that Defence Expo is displaying new India's grand picture which has youth power, young dreams and young courage. "Defence Expo 2022 is displaying a grand picture of the New India, the resolution for which was taken by us during Amrit Kaal. It has the nation's development, states' participation, youth power, young dreams, young courage and youth's capabilities," news agency ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
PM Modi called this year's Defence Expo a symbol of new beginning. "Defence Expo used to be held in our country earlier too but Defence Expo 2022 is unprecedented. It's the symbol of a new beginning. It's the first such Defence Expo in the country where only Indian companies are participating, where there are only Made in India defence equipment" ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
This year's DefExpo is the first-ever edition exclusively for Indian companies. Indian companies, Indian subsidiaries of Foreign OEMs, Division of a company registered in India, and Exhibitor having a joint venture with an Indian company will be considered as Indian participants.
During his speech PM Modi also appreciated African nations for standing with India and expressed his gratitude. "I'm delighted that when India is giving shape to these opportunities of the future, 53 African nations that are friends of India are standing shoulder to shoulder with us", ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
PM Modi also said that countries with "a positive mindset" have come with India. "The biggest Defence Expo of the country so far has marked an emphatic beginning of a new future. I know that this has also caused inconvenience to some countries but several countries, with a positive mindset, have come with us." ANI quoted PM Modi as saying at the DefExpo 2022.
At the India Pavilion, Prime Minister unveiled HTT-40 - the indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the aircraft has state of art contemporary systems and has been designed with pilot-friendly features.
During the programme, Prime Minister also launched Mission DefSpace - to develop innovative solutions for the Defence Forces in the Space domain through industry and startups. At the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of 52 Wing Air Force Station Deesa.
States and Union Territories (UTs) have been invited to set up pavilions at the event for the first time. The Defence Minister laid emphasis that with this new initiative, States, UTs will get an opportunity to participate in nation-building by attracting investment and bolstering their potential of indigenous aerospace and defence manufacturing.
(With ANI Inputs)