Hyderabad: BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao on Monday said India had undergone a major transformation in the India defence sector during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12 years in office. He cited higher defence spending, increased indigenous production and record defence exports as key achievements.
Addressing a meeting of the BJP State Ex-Servicemen Cell at the party’s state headquarters, Rao said defence exports had risen to ₹38,400 crore. He claimed the defence budget had increased from ₹2.5 lakh crore to ₹8 lakh crore during the Modi government’s tenure.
According to Rao, defence production had reached ₹1.50 lakh crore. Meanwhile, self-reliance in ordnance manufacturing had increased from 32% to 90%.
India defence sector driven by self-reliance
Rao said 97% of the equipment used on Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels was now manufactured in India. For example, he cited the Tejas fighter aircraft and INS Vikrant as symbols of the country’s growing indigenous defence capability.
Further, Rao said the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative had transformed India into a “Surakshit Bharat” during the past 12 years. He attributed the change to the Modi government’s emphasis on self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Referring to national security, Rao said India had shifted from a policy of “talks” to “action” against terrorism. In particular, he cited the Uri surgical strikes and the Balakot airstrikes as examples of the country’s military response.
Rao urged retired armed forces personnel to continue serving the nation after retirement. At the same time, he asked them to fight corruption and injustice in society. He also appealed to BJP workers and ex-servicemen to work with military discipline and strengthen the party in Telangana.
Finally, Rao praised the BJP Telangana Ex-Servicemen Cell for forming district-level teams across the state. He described it as one of the party’s most active organisational wings.