Prime Minister Modi highlights government’s push to make India self-reliant in defence
The Indian armed forces put up an impressive synergised demonstration of indigenous defence capabilities in the form of ‘Bharat Shakti’, a Tri-Services Live Fire and Manoeuvre Exercise in Pokhran, Rajasthan on Tuesday (March 12, 2024).
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who witnessed the exercise, said Pokhran was witness to India’s self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) and self-reliance. “It is the same Pokhran that witnessed India’s nuclear test and today we are witnessing the power of strength from indigenisation,” he remarked. 
 
In his address, Prime Minister Modi spoke about the test firing of the long-range Agni-5 missile equipped with advanced MIRV technology on March 11, 2024, and pointed out that only a handful of countries in the world have hold of this new-age technology and prowess.
 
The Prime Minister used the opportunity to highlight the government’s push to make India self-reliant in the defence sector. In this context, he mentioned policy reforms and roping in the private sector and encouragement of MSME startups in the field. Additionally, he talked about the defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu with investments of about Rs 7000 crore. What’s more, Asia’s largest helicopter factory had started operations in India.
 
Prime Minister Modi the Chiefs of all three forces for preparing lists of items that will not be imported and expressed happiness that in the last 10 years, equipment worth Rs 6 lakh crore has been procured from Indian companies. During this period defence production of the country has doubled to more than Rs 1 lakh crore. In the last 10 years, more than 150 defence startups have started and defence forces have given them orders worth Rs 1800 crore, he noted. 
 
According to the Ministry of Defence, Bharat Shakti will simulate realistic, synergised, multi-domain operations displaying integrated operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces to counter threats across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains.
 
Key Equipment and Weapons Systems participating in the exercise include T-90 (IM) Tanks, Dhanush and Sarang Gun Systems, Akash Weapons System, Logistics Drones, Robotic Mules, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and an array of unmanned aerial vehicles among others, from the Indian Army showcasing the advanced ground warfare and aerial surveillance capabilities.
 
The Indian Navy showcased Naval Anti-Ship Missiles, Autonomous Cargo Carrying Aerial Vehicles, and Expendable Aerial Targets, highlighting maritime strength and technological sophistication. The Indian Air Force deployed the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Light Utility Helicopters, and Advanced Light Helicopters, demonstrating air superiority and versatility in air operations.