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Government inks biggest “Make in India” defense deal at Aero India Show

In the august presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the contract was handed over to Managing director of HAL R Madhavan by DG(Acquisition), Ministry of Defence at the inaugural ceremony of Aero India – 2021, the country's premier defense and aerospace show at Bengaluru, Karnataka.

It’s a celebration time for the citizens, as well as the Government of India as their inspirational Make in India plan, is finally kicking off. At the Aero India show, the Government formally sealed the deal for procuring 83 Tejas LAC aircraft from HAL that is the state-run aerospace sector giant. The deal is the biggest boost for the indigenous military aviation sector as this is the first of its kind.

In the august presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the contract was handed over to Managing director of HAL R Madhavan by DG(Acquisition), Ministry of Defence at the inaugural ceremony of Aero India – 2021, the country’s premier defense and aerospace show at Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Make in India is an aspirational scheme of the Modi Government which plans to enhance the contribution of the manufacturing sector in the GDP from 16% to 25% by 2022. The opening of new manufacturing sectors is also aimed to employ 10 crore people. The whole policy is based on three pillars, that are, attracting foreign investors, more sectors, and more infrastructure.

Tejas, manufactured by the HAL, is a single-engine and highly agile multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat air environments. The deal to procure 73 Tejas MK-IA variant and 10 LCA Tejas MK- I trainer aircraft was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by PM Modi last month. It will boost the power of the IAF in the skies.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his happiness after the contract was signed in the following words- “I am very happy that HAL has got orders for the development of 83 new indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) – Tejas MK1A from Indian Air Force valued at more than Rs. 48000 Crores, it is probably the biggest ‘Make in India’ Defence contract till date,”.

This is indeed a very proud moment for the country and the IAF as IAF will be switching to made in India jets and will be empowered by them.

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Pragya Mishra

Senior columnist with interest in economy and government policies.

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